Chance to get close to city centre

Central location makes Mt Eden warehouse and office unit a good opportunity for businesses servicing CBD

by Colin Taylor An engineering business is moving after occupying a Mt Eden warehouse and office unit for more than 20 years resulting in the city fringe property being up for sale by auction.

The freehold 618sq m Unit E, on mixed- use land at 2 Haultain St, is being marketed by Peter Kermode and Jonathan Lynch of Colliers International and is to go under the hammer at 11am on April 24 at 151 Queen St, Auckland, unless it sells beforehand.

‘‘ This i s a chance for an owneroccupier to secure cost- effective warehouse space close to the city,’’ said Lynch.

‘‘ This functional property offers great flexibility to small to medium sized owner- occupiers and, with a 483sq m warehouse that has a 5.5m high stud, it i s a versatile offering close to Auckland’s CBD.’’

The location made it particularly suitable for businesses servicing the CBD and which required warehousing or storage space.

The property is part of a complex of five units built in the 1990s, housing a variety of service providers.

The two- level unit includes a gen- erous warehouse space with a high roller door that gives good flat access for medium- sized trucks.

Six off- street carparks are also included and more car parking is available nearby. Jonathan Lynch ( above) is one of the agents handling the sale.

Kermode said a trend towards changing uses for commercial properties on the Auckland city fringe, with warehouses being modified into showroom space and more intensive use, meant the property would also be attractive to occupiers looking for affordable and multi- purpose commercial space.

‘‘ The excellent location on the edge of the central city, where significant intensification and change of use activity is under way, suggests the property will be in demand at auction.’’

Kermode says the property should also be of interest to add- value buyers who could capitalise on the area’s flexible zoning and perhaps convert part of the property to an apartment, creating a live and work situation.

‘‘ It would ideally suit a business wanting to own its own premises,’’ Lynch said. ‘‘ There is a renewed interest from small to medium sized businesses in buying their own premises with a view to securing their future.’’

Four months of holding income paid by the outgoing occupier means the property could also appeal to investors who would benefit from the income stream while searching for new tenants.

Colliers International’s national auction manager, John Bowring, says he has noticed a marked increase in the popularity of small city fringe properties in the auction room over the past year.

‘‘ There is no shortage of demand from owner occupiers, investors and developers for compact commercial units in good locations so I expect this property to attract a lot of interest from buyers on auction day,’’ he said.

The unit was in a popular mixeduse area of Mt Eden among commercial and residential properties.

It had easy access to two main arterial routes, Dominion Rd and New North Rd, via an interchange just around the corner from the property.

Kermode said construction work for the proposed city rail link was not expected to affect the property.

‘‘ Auckland Transport has confirmed in writing that the city rail link project i s not projected to cause disruptions to the current operation of Haultain St businesses, or the general parking and access arrangements, including the provision of access during construction.’’

Kermode said the mixed- use zoning of the locality was designed to encourage the development of vibrant urban areas by providing opportunities for businesses requiring locations close to commercial centres and allowing a diverse mix of residential, business, education and leisure activities.