Hobsonville greenfield opportunity
Asite of more than 4ha, within the “Hobsonville Corridor”, is described by brokers as a major greenfield development opportunity in one of Auckland’s most rapidly developing areas.
CBRE agents Deborah Dowling, Brad Visser and Wyatt Johnston are selling the 4.0486ha on behalf of a Greek Cypriot family who have held it for 27 years.
They say the property at 82 Hobsonville Rd, could be the last large developable site with Residential zoning along the corridor linking Westgate and Hobsonville Point.
It is for sale by deadline private treaty, closing November 28, unless sold earlier.
“This is the first time that 82 Hobsonville Rd has come up for sale in nearly three decades,” says Visser.
“When it was last purchased — by the Panayiodou family, who built their dream house here — the area was more or less completely farmland. Since then the massive changes, including the recent rezoning of land all along the Hobsonville Corridor, are leading them now to sell. “They’re sad but ready to go.” The property is likely to interest developers, group home builders and land bankers, says Visser, pointing out that it is a development opportunity in one of the focus areas under the Government’s $1b Infrastructure Fund. “And few of these remain.”
Visser believers the development of 82 Hobsonville Rd will build upon, “the stellar success of neighbouring Hobsonville Point and Westgate.
“Momentum has been building in this part of Auckland for a number of years, and hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent.
“A similar road-front land parcel like this cannot be picked up along the Hobsonville Corridor. The site is earmarked for high density development under the Whenuapai Plan Change, and a draft architectural scheme has been drawn-up that could deliver 128 lots. So with infrastructure due to go in soon, the site provides the purchaser with the ability to move reasonably quickly.”
The property comprises a rectangular, 4.0486 ha block on a single freehold title, plus a large 613sq m house.
Dowling says it is zoned Future Urban under the Unitary Plan, which is applied to greenfield land identified as suitable for urbanisation.
“By way of background, the council undertook a structure planning exercise under The Whenuapai Structure Plan last year, identifying areas of residential and business land.”
Stage 1A to 1E in the Whenuapai Structure Plan area is in the Future Urban Land Supply Strategy as being development-ready between 2018 and 2022.
“And 82 Hobsonville Rd comes within Stage 1A, within the first stage to be taken forward.”
Dowling says a council-initiated plan change was notified on September 21, to re-zone about 360ha of mostly Future Urban-zoned land — including 82 Hobsonville Rd — to a mix of business and residential zones, submissions having closed on October 19.
“Under the plan change, the subject site proposed zoning is Residential-Mixed Housing Urban.
“This envisages a relatively highintensity residential zone with development typically up to threestorey, including detached dwellings, terraced houses and low-rise apartments.
“And there’s a bonus — this property will be in the first tranche of the $300m infrastructure spend that Auckland Council is set to put into the area, funded through the Government’s $1b Housing Infrastructure Fund announced last year.
“So services will be well on their way to meet the needs of any development on the property.”
A preliminary design concept has been created for the site, using the zoning rules proposed under the draft plan change, says Dowling.
“The concept could lead to 128 lots, subject to council consent.
“The design has not pushed density to the limit, and the plan also shows a through road and planned green space.”
In a slightly elevated position near the top of a rise along Hobsonville Road, the property has 180 degree views that include the inner harbour, says Johnston.
“It offers an unusually wide road frontage on the Hobsonville Corridor.
“The 56ha Westgate town centre and its many shops and amenities is a three minute drive to the west.
“The area is developing rapidly, with street-based retail, as well as commercial and dining experiences designed to populate and activate a new town square and main street precinct.
“Six hectares of public open space are included in the master plan for the area, including parks and walkways, plus a new 3500sq m library featuring a children’s reading and storytelling ‘cocoon’ space that is under construction right now.”
To the east lies Hobsonville town centre and the phenomenally successful Hobsonville Point, which is attracting thousands of people thanks to its scale and high quality approach, says Johnston.