Big Helensville site now available
A large development opportunity has presented itself totalling a substantial 14,033sq m site in up and coming suburb of Helensville in Auckland’s North West.
Colliers International brokers Ryan de Zwart and Craig Smith say the freehold property at 9- 17 Mill Rd offers unrivalled development potential with multiple future uses. It is for sale by deadline private treaty, closing on October 12.
“This is a prime development opportunity situated in the heart of Helensville which is complemented by favourable zoning for future uses. This will be appealing to anyone looking to develop, sub- divide, or occupy,” says Smith.
The elevated site neighbours various businesses and services including Mitre 10, Placemakers, Helensville Plumbers & Supplies, Suzuki Bikesport, and Firestone Tyres, with residential dwellings on the eastern side.
“The property is in one of the West Auckland’ growth areas and currently sees 7000 cars pass it daily, making it extremely desirable for developers interested in the retail, residential, childcare or industrial sectors,” says de Zwart.
The property i s approximately 45km from Auckland CBD and about 40km west of Albany Town Centre.
“State Highway 16 passes through the town connecting it to Kumeu/ Westgate in the south and Kaukapakapa to the northeast, making its location desirable as a connector,” says Smith.
Current access is via a right of way off Mill Rd and provides a wide road frontage of 75m. The property sits on the southern side of Mill Rd, a main thoroughfare into Helensville town centre, and boasts a prominent road front position.
“Helensville i s on the cusp of change. We seldom see sites of this calibre become available to the market, with such development potential, especially with the consideration of new zonings under the Auckland Unitary Plan,” de Zwart points out.
The current zoning i s split between Retail/ dwellings and Industrial and offers a uniquely large range of permitted activities. It i s designated to become Town Centre and Light Industry once the Unitary Plan becomes operative.
“The objective of a Town Centre zoning i s to create a network of centres which are the focus of commercial, residential, community and civic activities for the surrounding areas as Auckland grows up and out, with its projected population increase,” says Smith.
Town Centre Zone applies to suburban centres throughout Auckland, the satellite centre of Warkworth and Pukekohe, and the rural towns of Helensville and Wellsford. These centres are typically on main arterial roads providing good public transport access.
The site’s other zoning, Light Industrial, provides for general warehousing activities this includes light manufacturing, production, logistics, storage and transport.
It allows light industrial activities to function productively within it and avoids activities that may diminish the efficiency and functionality of the area. This can include convenience retail serving local worker population, trade suppliers, service stations, vehicle sales and garden centres.
“The fact that the site offers two different zonings opens it up to a massive array of opportunities with a developer or owner- occupier being able to carve out exactly what they need out of it,” says Smith.
“Helensville retail, industrial and residential developments will benefit positively in capital gains, from strong growth of neighbouring suburbs, including Kumeu, Huapai and Riverhead which together are anticipated to grow by 9200 dwellings and 3,600 jobs,” says de Zwart. Sophie Louis has joined the JLL Auckland office as a graduate valuer within the Valuation & Advisory Services team.
Louis joined after having graduating from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Property. Immediately after completing her degree, she took up a temporary position as a Project Assistant for the University of Auckland Property Services, where she assisted with the fit- out of the university’s major Science Centre redevelopment.
“Sophie is assisting with all classes of commercial property while working towards becoming a Registered Valuer,” JLL’s head of valuations Dave Wigmore says. “She is proving to be an excellent new recruit for the team.”