Church site a likely godsend for developer

487 Chapel Rd, East Tamaki.

A large church-owned vacant site being promoted as "the last site of its kind in East Tamaki" and having the potential for a change to mixed use zoning is being offered for sale as an ideal development opportunity.

"While the current zoning is 'main residential', we have received planning advice that it could be designated 'mixed use' because the land is so strategically located," says Jon Whisker, investment broker with NAI Harcourts, who is selling the 1.215ha site at 487 Chapel Rd by public tender closing at 4pm on February 26.

Whisker says the land has been owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints since 1998.

"There were historic plans to build a chapel on the site but the land is now surplus to requirements. In the 16 years the church has owned the land, housing development in the area has been prolific and this sale remains the last opportunity for developers.

"Investors could investigate the possibility of road-frontage retail development with terraced houses located to the rear," he says.

The surrounding area consists of well-established residential housing of medium to superior quality, providing a large catchment for local businesses operating from the commercial properties nearby.

"The property is particularly well located, close to a full range of services and amenities including all levels of schooling and public transport," Whisker says.

The Chapel Rd shops, a short distance to the south, supply local convenience needs. Just 1.5km to the north, the Botany Town Centre Hub retail development and a bulk retail development on the northern side of Ti Rakau Drive provide a full range of commercial facilities, including branches of the major trading banks.

Whisker says excellent interest shown in the property indicates developers recognise that the sale represents one of the last opportunities of its kind in southeast Auckland.