An elevated view depicting the property at 249-299 Main Rd, Kumeu. Photo / Supplied
An elevated view depicting the property at 249-299 Main Rd, Kumeu. Photo / Supplied
A big property on which the well-known Carriages Cafe & Wine Bar is situated in Kumeu, 25km northwest of Auckland city, has been put up for sale.
"This is the largest site available on the western side of State Highway 16 in Kumeu and, as such, will be very attractive to developers," says Isaac Tankard of NAI Harcourts North Shore Commercial who is jointly marketing 249-299 Main Rd with Shoneet Chand and Michael Bray of Colliers International.
The 10,426sq m property is being sold by tenders closing at 4pm on Wednesday March 29 unless sold earlier by negotiation.
Tankard says Kumeu is one of the fastest growing areas of Auckland and the property is zoned Business - Town Centre which allows for commercial and residential development of up to 18m or around four storeys.
He says the North Auckland railway line passes through Kumeu on the south-western, or left side, of the road heading north which has effectively forced all development of the town's main road to one side of the road.
"Kumeu is identified by Auckland Council as a centre for growth, with the population expected to quadruple by 2021," Tankard says.
The partially developed site is essentially divided in two by streams which form a small pond that the Carriages Cafe backs on to. The site has been sparsely developed to the west of the pond and occupied by the cafe, retail outlet, office, a garden centre and a large number of carparks. The land to the east of the pond remains vacant and undeveloped.
Carriages Cafe & Wine Bar restaurant is designed like a train station. Photo / Supplied
The site is slightly contoured through to flat and has access to all services, including stormwater, sewerage and water. It has a substantial road frontage of more than 250m with easy access via wide existing entry and exit points.
Chand says large numbers of people are being attracted to Kumeu with many amenities now in easy reach due to greatly improved roading and infrastructure.
"The area is being populated by affluent lifestyle seekers. As Auckland's burgeoning population has spread, many of the local vineyards have been converted to residential developments and Kumeu is about to experience significant population growth with many thousands of houses planned for the area. This property is at the centre of that growth and the opportunities for it are huge," Chand says.
Vintage railway carriages serve as dining rooms. Photo / Supplied
Bray says tenant Carriages Cafe & Wine Bar restaurant is designed like a 1930s European-styled train station with vintage railway carriages serving as dining rooms.
"This is a hugely popular local landmark, attracting visitors from across Auckland," he says. Another building on the site is also tenanted and used as a barbershop. Two buildings on the same property, a garden centre and first floor office, will be sold with vacant possession
"The current tenants provide a good annual holding income of $95,169, but the potential rent, if fully tenanted, is estimated at around $191,500 per annum."
Bray says Kumeu's attraction as a commercial location on SH16 will increase with the completion of the Western Ring Route this year, which will provide an alternative to SH1 and the Auckland Harbour Bridge north, via SH20, SH16 and SH18.
Isaac Tankard of NAI Harcourts North Shore Commercial
