Rare Greerton green space up for grabs

The house pictured has since been removed and the 975sq m vacant site in the heart of Greerton is up for sale.

Possibly the last vacant site for retail development in Greerton Village is up for sale for the first time in 20 years - but after a year on the market it has not sold.

Owner Michael Houlding said the 975sq m section on Cameron Rd, one site back from the intersection with Chadwick Rd, had attracted a lot of interest but nothing had "come to fruition" yet.

Mr Houlding and his wife have owned the land since the mid-1990s and operated a physio clinic in a small house on the site for about 10 years. Tenants filled it after that and once they left, the house was relocated to avoid vandalism, Mr Houlding said.

Another view of the house.

He had listed the site with First National for about 12 months and on-and-off before that.

"I think there's a lot of commercial property on offer in Tauranga," he said, noting the empty spaces in central Tauranga as well as new developments not far away in The Lakes and Pyes Pa.

"But it's only a matter of time until the right developer will come along ... I would love to see what will happen on it."

First National agent Russell Barnes said there had been considerable interest and a number of offers in the 12 months from investors and land bankers as well as developers.

First National commercial manager John Dermott was surprised the land had not sold: "It's got everything going for it ... I think there's a big future for it."

It had huge potential because of its close location to the heart of Greerton and potential for a multi-use development, he said.

Its commercial zoning would allow for a development up to 12m high, or about three storeys. He envisioned a development with retail stores on the road-front, offices above and ample parking below or at the rear.

The property was being sold by private treaty, with no deadline, but Mr Houlding was keen to pass it on and retire.