Onehunga site should attract various buyers

The redevelopment site for sale at 19-21 Hill St and 4 Newsome St near Onehunga's commercial centre - identified by a red border.

A redevelopment site near Onehunga's main commercial centre is expected to attract the interest of industrial, commercial and residential property developers.
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"The site at 19-21 Hill Street and 4 Newsome St is for sale for the first time since the 1940s," says Ben Herlihy of Colliers International. Herlihy and colleague Hamish West are marketing it for sale by auction at 11 am on Wednesday July 22 at Colliers' auction rooms at 151 Queen St, Auckland - unless it sells beforehand by negotiation.

Herlihy says 4829 sq m block is one of the few remaining pieces of underdeveloped land in central Onehunga. "It is currently used for industrial purposes but offers a number of prospective future options from business and commercial uses through to possible residential developments.

"Given its position adjacent to residential developments and near commercial properties, it could house live-and-work units or it could accommodate retail outlets and apartments.

"This is a proven location for residential, commercial and industrial uses close to a large housing area alongside Onehunga's retail and business hub with an established industrial area nearby. We believe this variety of occupier types in the local area will increase the attraction of this site as a future added value proposition."

Ben Herlihy from Colliers International

West says the level site is spread across two titles with two separate street frontages. A 1044 sq m warehouse is occupied by Omega Metals, providing holding income on a month by month lease.

"The building is an older styled industrial structure that is suitable for storage use. It could alternatively be remediated for occupation by a light industrial or commercial business, or demolished and replaced with a new facility."

West says a drawcard for purchasers is the dual access. "The existing buildings have reached the end of their usable life span, so this really is a land acquisition opportunity and the two road access points will be considered a plus."

The site's location means it is also expected to appeal to owner occupier businesses looking for a well-positioned base in a convenient and accessible spot.

"Onehunga is in huge demand from businesses because of its central location and easy access to the airport and central business district. For this reason, this site could be considered a valuable land bank opportunity for future development by a business which could use it for operational or storage purposes in the meantime," West says.

The property is just 500 metres from the Onehunga Village retail strip and 700 metres from the Onehunga train station.

Ben Herlihy from Colliers International

"It is also ideally positioned for businesses relying on road transport," Herlihy says. "Lying between the main arterial routes of Church St and Princes St, it has easy access to State Highway 20 via the Neilson St on ramp while State Highway One is a 10 minute drive to the east."

Excellent road and motorway access and a location within easy reach of the Auckland CBD have contributed to Onehunga undergoing significant regeneration in recent years, says Herlihy.

"Convenient access to two motorways means occupiers in Onehunga have easy transport accessibility to the central city, airport and Manukau and this has contributed to the desirability of the area increasing for both businesses and homeowners."

The opening of the Waterview connection linking SH20 with SH16 is expected to further benefit Onehunga, providing an alternative north-south route bypassing the Auckland CBD.

For more information on this, please visit www.colliers.co.nz/51928.