Old Placemakers headquarters for sale

A multi-million dollar Auckland section which used to be home to Placemakers’ headquarters is for sale.

The property at 150 Marua Rd, Mt Wellington has been operating as the national head office of the building supplies company for more than 40 years.

But is now being marketed for sale by tender through Bayleys Auckland, which said it could be converted into a medical hub or school campus.

Agent Stephen Scott said it had a CV of $7.4m, but he expected it to sell for well above that.

Placemakers pays rental of $645,000.

The site features 3392 square metres of ‘‘campus-like’’ commercial building spread over eight levels, sitting on 10,498sqm of freehold land.

The building was originally designed for aggregates and building supply company Winstones, which operated the nearby quarry.

The quarry has subsequently gone on to become the residential area of Stonefields.

At its peak, the Marua Road site was home to some 300 administrative staff.

The site is zoned for light industry use under the Auckland Unitary Plan.

Scott said the building had annual development potential. Education and healthcare were two sectors which could utilise the site, he said.

‘‘Either education or healthcare, both of which are racing to keep pace with the area’s surge in resident numbers over the past decade,’’ Scott said.

‘‘This has seen numerous schools canablise ‘greenfield’ grassed playing fields, add additional storeys on top of existing classroom blocks and structures, or take on and reconfigure adjacent commercial space to provide new campus space in their catchment areas.

‘‘With multiple access points, and a modular style interior layout already replicating a tertiary education facility, the property on Marua Rd could easily be converted into a standalone teaching location.’’

While structurally sound, the buildings would benefit from a refurbishment to efficiency, Scott said.

Bryce 36 is the current owner of the property.

Bryce 36 director Alan Daysh said it was time for divestment of some assets.

Tenders close December 7. increase at 4pm on