Waiwera coastal collection offers huge opportunity
A collection of coastal sites of significant scale in Waiwera present buyers with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire high-profile, sizeable landholdings ready to be transformed.
Located less than 50 minutes from Auckland’s CBD, the properties provide 45,680sq m of total land area and were formerly occupied by the well-known Waiwera Thermal Resort and Spa and Waiwera Holiday Park.
The area is steeped in history and buyers can now secure these freehold properties either by a joint venture partnership, long-term ground lease or an outright freehold sale.
At the core lies a thermal spa and wellness heritage that stretches back hundreds of years, which will underpin the potential for a largescale coastal residential and mixeduse development.
A rare geothermal bore also serves the sites with the renowned therapeutic and curative powers of Waiwera’s thermal waters providing an incredibly unique selling point and a ‘business moat’ – an unrivalled development advantage in the Auckland market.
The properties have unlimited potential and could be positioned for a variety of uses, including a substantial residential or retirement development, wellness resort and spa, visitor accommodation, leisure and recreation and hospitality.
Waiwera Beach is located 43km north of Auckland and 5km from Orewa at the mouth of the Waiwera River. The township is bordered on the east by the beach and bay, the river to the north and the bushclad hill of the scenic reserve to the south.
Convenient access from Auckland to the south and Warkworth to the north is provided via SH1 and the Hibiscus Highway.
Colliers directors Blair Peterken and Josh Coburn have been exclusively appointed to market the properties for sale and are taking expressions of interest with a closing deadline of 4pm on Wednesday 25 May, unless sold prior.
Site 1 is located at 41-53 Waiwera Rd and is spread across 10,603sq m of land zoned Business–Mixed Use under the Auckland Unitary Plan. The site is the former home of the original Waiwera Hotel dating back to the late 1800s.
Site 2 is located at 21-37 Waiwera Rd, has 17,296sq m of Business– Mixed Use Zone land and was the former home of Waiwera Thermal Resort and Spa.
Site 3 was previously occupied by Waiwera Holiday Park and is located at 37 Waiwera Place. The site covers 17,781sq m and is zoned Residential–Mixed Housing Suburban.
Sites 1, 2, and 3 can be purchased separately or as a combined offering, providing prospective purchasers with flexibility to ensure they can secure a site that will meet their vision for this stunning area.
Peterken says this is a development opportunity unlike any other that can make the most of the site’s unique attributes to maximise its potential.
“There’s a raft of options available for prospective purchasers in this idyllic location that is ready to be moved into its next chapter,” Peterken says. “The favourable land use zonings offer a blank canvas for a diverse range of uses and commercial activities, including residential development, retirement, health and wellness, tourism, hospitality, and visitor accommodation.
“Waiwera sits in a small green belt between the densely developed suburbs of Orewa and Warkworth, where a substantial amount of Auckland’s overflow development is scheduled to occur. Waiwera offers urban expanse in comfortable surroundings. Alongside the residential potential, a development in the health and wellness sector would present a prominent drawcard for visitors from New Zealand, and abroad given the easing of border restrictions.
“The thermal/mineral spa market is a US$56 billion sector and key research shows that New Zealand is operating at under 40 per cent of its potential within this market. When combined with the other desirable development attributes, the thermal proposition at Waiwera has the potential to turbo charge returns.
“As an adjunct to any wellness or tourism development, buyers may consider the value of re-establishing a water bottling facility on the property. In the decades prior to its closure in 2018, Waiwera Water became a brand synonymous with luxury, exclusivity, quality, and wellness. These characteristics would undoubtedly aid in the international marketing of any tourism operation to be developed on the site.”
Coburn says this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity.
“Given the extensive potential on offer that these sites present there will be high levels of interest in an area that retains its original spirit and beauty on top of exceptional brand value through the Waiwera name.”