Church land for sale at Sandringham
A large freehold Sandringham landholding with dual street access, which now has an historic church, childcare centre and a character bungalow on it, is up for sale offering a redevelopment opportunity.
Comprising 3716sq m of land at 258- 260 Balmoral Rd and 18 Patterson St, the property is being marketed by Sunil Bhana, James Hill and Mike Houlker of Bayleys’ central Auckland office. Featured in Bayleys’ latest Total Property portfolio, it is up for tender closing September 22, unless sold prior.
“The sale of this property opens up an opportunity for continued use by other church, early childcare or community organisations,” says Bhana. “Alternatively you could explore the high density resi redevelopment options in this sought after city fringe location with its excellent access to public transport and a full range of amenities nearby.”
The property has been put up for sale by Presbyterian Church Property Trustees following the merger of the Balmoral congregation with the larger St John’s Presbyterian Church in Mt Roskill. Funds from the sale will support church development in new and growing areas of Auckland.
“This substantial site provides an excellent opportunity to address Auckland’s critical housing problems,” says Bhana. “The bulk of the land has a Terrace Housing and Apartment Building zoning under the new unitary plan, enabling a greater intensity of development than previously allowed on this site.”
The property comprises three individual lots on one freehold title. The church and it halls occupy 258 Balmoral Rd, with an adjacent childcare centre. The wooden church building dates back to the 1880s and has a Heritage ( Category B) classification.
There is a paved parking area at the front of the property which i s used as a drop and pick up point for the childcare centre. The Auckland Playcentres Association pays a modest rental for the use of the site, which it will vacate by December 20 under the terms of its lease.
Occupying the narrower rear section at 18 Patterson St is a five bedroom character bungalow built in the 1920s with a basic garage that sits on the northwestern corner. This has a residential tenancy in place generating $ 520 per week.
Hill says the zoning on 258 Balmoral Rd provides for terrace housing and apartments. This zoning i s predominantly for metropolitan, town and local centres and where there is public transport in place to support the highest intensification.
‘ The zone provides for the greatest density, height and scale of development of all the residential zones in the new unitary plan with buildings up to seven storeys permitted subject to council consents.”
The land at 18 Patterson St has a Residential- Mixed Housing Urban zoning. Houlker says this is a reasonably high- intensity zone, allowing development t ypically up to three storeys in a variety of sizes and forms.
“Both zonings support increasing the capacity and choice of housing as well as promoting walkable neighbourhoods and fostering a sense of community,” says Houlker.