Y not buy this idyllic waterfront site?

Street level view of part of the YMCA waterfront camp site that is for sale at 14,16 & 18 Waiwera Rd, north of Orewa.

A YMCA owned waterfront block of land at Waiwera north of Auckland is being marketed for sale as an ideal development opportunity for the construction of a large waterfront block of terraced houses, a mini resort, function centre or motel complex.

Other options for the site include retention as a recreational resource for a club; educational, church or religious organisation; or as location for a luxury home or lifestyle property.

Colin McKenna of Bayleys Central office is marketing the site with colleague Stephen Scott through a tender process closing at 4 pm on Thursday September 11 at Bayley's Viaduct Harbour office.

McKenna says the Hibiscus Coast property would suit a variety uses and should be looked at closely by investors, owner occupiers and developers.
Offered for sale "as is" as a vacant site, the large property which is a 45 minute drive north of Auckland and just six kilometres north of Orewa, has been used long term by the YMCA as an outdoor adventure and accommodation centre taking advantage of the idyllic natural surroundings of Wenderholm Regional Park, the Waiwera River and the nearby Waiwera Thermal Resort which attracts over 350,000 visitors each year.

McKenna says the 2254 sq m freehold property comprises multiple buildings and a significant section across three lots at 14, 16 and 18 Waiwera Rd. Waiwera Road connects to Auckland City via the Hibiscus Coast Highway and further connects via State Highway 1. The site has a flat easy contour with a waterfront vista.

The complex of 'camp-style' facilities on the property includes three consecutive accommodation buildings totalling 410 sq m each containing 18 bunk beds in three rooms supported by two separate toilet and shower facilities that allow for a total capacity of up to 54 people. The property also encompasses an apartment and office with access to garage and storage rooms; kitchen facilities for guests; a large room that functions as a dining and meeting area; and five outside car parks.

Construction of the buildings is from weatherboard and pre-fabricated lightweight materials.

Dating back to 1908 the main building was originally Waiwera School and now functions as the manager's accommodation.

McKenna says the YMCA has used the property as an outdoor recreation centre that catered to school and community organisation as a camp venue; and to corporate groups for team building and similar activities. It has also been hired out for private functions like weddings, family reunions, and Christmas parties.

Groups that have occupied the centre traditionally take part in a number of activities afforded by the site and the area including kayaking, tubing, tramping, river crossing, and archery.

"This is a waterfront block with multiple potential uses, given its size and location," says McKenna.

"For a forward thinking investor it presents a number of development options such as a large waterfront block of terraced houses, motel or other accommodation units," he says.

"Alternatively, it could remain as a camp, or the buildings could be used by special interest groups. A new owner could also choose to build a luxury lifestyle home on the property."

The land is zoned Residential H (High Intensity) under the Auckland Council Operative Rodney District Plan 2011 allowing a density of one residential unit per 275 sq m of land area.

Under the Auckland Council's Proposed Unitary Plan the property will be classified as Mixed Housing Suburban which will permit housing, terraced housing and low rise apartments. These include boarding houses, new buildings, residential accommodation for both existing and new buildings, childcare and retirement facilities - all subject to specific constraints.

"With its superb location, a development on this site would be well placed to complement the existing attractions in Waiwera centred on the nearby hot pools complex and the beach," McKenna says.