Bare land in a top suburb

The site at 11A Cheshire St, Parnell, borders the new Parnell train station, and is identified by a red border. Photo / Supplied

Agents say a freehold 1031sq m landholding in Parnell is ripe for development.

JLL will sell 11A Cheshire St, Parnell, through an expressions of interest campaign closing 4pm, on July 12.

Agents Jarred Hill and Ian Hall say being zoned Business Mixed Use opens the site up to a range of potential uses.

"The property would be suitable for a hotel, apartment or student accommodation," says Hill.

"It is being offered for sale with resource consent in place for a 36-dwelling apartment development with two levels of car parking. "However, a new owner could seek to modify these plans or take advantage of the enhanced height variation under the Auckland Unitary Plan and maximise the size with a new development."

Hall says the site borders the new Parnell train station, has a westerly aspect and a frontage of about 55m. It also slopes away gently from Cheshire St towards Auckland Domain with piles to meet the existing building consent already in place.

The $12 million Parnell Train Station provides access to and from Parnell with linkages to the Auckland Domain and the University of Auckland. Adding charm to the station is the former Newmarket Station heritage building, which was relocated onto the site.

"Parnell Station is expected to become the fourth busiest station on the network due to its closeness to the University of Auckland. Once all proposed upgrades of the Parnell Station are completed, it is forecast that at peak hours of the morning the station could see about 2000-plus passengers exiting trains at Parnell, right by this site," says Hall.

Access from the station to the university is being improved by a new pathway which will sit between the station and the Carlaw Park campuses, allowing students to then continue along Nicholls Lane up to the university.

There are now four apartment developments either under construction, in planning or proposed in Parnell. These are a four-level, 10-unit development called the Ford Lofts on York St; a five-level, 13-unit development called Windsor Apartments on Parnell Rd; a six-level, 18-unit development called Edition Apartments on Churton St; and the proposed six-level, 36-unit development of this site on Cheshire St.

"Population forecasts suggest Parnell is set to grow by about 20 per cent over the next 10 years, " says Hall.

Parnell itself is popular with businesses drawn to the area due to it being near the CBD and for it's charm. It is one of the oldest suburbs in Auckland and is home to eclectic architecture with a mix of modern architecturally-designed spaces and heritage properties.