Orchard Park's first fruits

The expected completion date of the building, at 2 Oracle Drive is early to mid 2015.

Business complex planned for one of the largest greenfield sites left on Auckland's North Shore

A planned warehouse, office and retail complex that will be one of the first buildings to be constructed in Goodman's Orchard Park business estate at Albany on Auckland's North Shore is being marketed for sale or lease.

"The expected completion date of this building at 2 Oracle Drive is early to mid 2015," says Henry Barfoot of Barfoot & Thompson North Shore Commercial who, with colleague Brian Paulin, is marketing it via an expressions of interest campaign with a closing date of August 19, unless it sells before that date.

"The property comprises warehouse, office and retail space in one integrated building and is available for sale or lease as a whole or in part," Barfoot says.

"The planned building will be a leading edge development within the Orchard Park business estate that is being created by Goodman Group which has successfully developed a number of business parks and industrial estates through New Zealand. With around 12ha of land available for development, this project is one of the largest greenfield sites left on the North Shore and promises to be the new growth centre in the Albany basin.

"A number of other developments in the estate are either in progress or planned -- all under design guidelines that will create a physical environment with a modern, harmonious look.

"The concept plan aims to create a generously planted natural landscape, reflecting the area's recent horticultural history. For example, the avenue planting of trees will evoke the impression of orchard rows.

"This is a location that will stand apart from other commercial property in surrounding areas, an ideal environment for a business to make a statement," Barfoot says.

The building to be erected on a landscaped 2362sq m freehold site at 2 Oracle Drive will have a net lettable area of about 1730sq m and is planned for a seismic rating of 100 per cent of New Building Standard (NBS).

The warehouse will have a building footprint of around 610sq m and full height space of 542sq m.

The net lettable area of the warehouse will be 876sq m including offices, mezzanine areas and canopy. The stud height will be a minimum of 6.89 metres rising to 7.92 metres. The construction is of tilt slab concrete panels with no central columns and Colorsteel longrun roofing.

The warehouse will have dual roller door access with eight allocated car parks -- six of them covered.

The first level office floor plates could range from 150 to 550sq m and will be above ground level car parking and two retail units.

They will feature white Alucobond cladding, Colorsteel longrun roofing, aluminium joinery, tinted glass; male, female and accessible toilets; and will have lift access from the ground level. The offices will have 19 allocated car parks -- 12 of them covered.

The road frontage retail and/or showroom space is envisaged as Unit 1 with a net lettable area of 170sq m with five allocated car parks -- one of these being covered. Unit 2 with a net lettable area of 153sq m will have four allocated car parks.

Both units will encompass mezzanine space and covered courtyard area.

The retail or showroom units will also have white Alucobond along with dark brown Euroline cladding along with Colorsteel longrun roofing, aluminium joinery and tinted glass.

"The resource consent covers use for retail or as a cafe including outdoor seating," Barfoot says.

The property is zoned Business 6 under the operational North Shore City Plan -- while under the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan it is zoned Business/Business Park.

Barfoot says the large site could also be unit titled as stratum-in-freehold if the development is sold as individual units.

"As a business location it will be close to the Albany malls, Massey University, North Harbour Stadium and large residential areas."

Significant retail complexes nearby include the Westfield Shopping Centre, Pak'nSave, Albany Supa Centa and Event Cinemas.

Paulin notes that current business activity in the immediate surrounds of Orchard Park has a strong financial focus, with the North Shore headquarters of ASB, ANZ and Westpac banks being close neighbours.

"There are certainly apparent synergies here for occupiers or tenants in the financial services sector and the location is also well placed to capitalise on the 'knowledge economy' being close to Massey University, new Albany junior and senior high schools, and two established private schools."

Paulin says the residential population within a 3km radius of Orchard Park has "exploded" over recent years, driven by new subdivision development and demand for homes close to Albany Mall.

"Being close to the busway, a supermarket, schools and with a proposed childcare centre nearby, Orchard Park will be a highly efficient location for working families.

Along with the area's leisure facilities, such amenities can be expected to assist with the recruitment and retention of quality staff."

The new building will also have easy access to the city via the State Highway 1 north-south motorway and is just 17km from the Auckland CBD via the motorway's Greville Rd interchange.

The Albany Park 'n Ride station of the Northern Busway is also nearby.

"These links to major transport networks are one reason why Albany has been designated one of 10 metropolitan centres under Auckland's Proposed Unitary Plan," Paulin says.