Light industry site in the northwest
A high- profile Westgate industrial development site on the corner of two of the area’s fast- growing arterials is on the market through Colliers International and JLL.
The 35,490sq m freehold property at 101- 103 Fred Taylor Drive, at the corner of State Highway 16 and Northside Drive, is being marketed by Sean Finnegan of Colliers Industrial and David Mayhew of JLL.
Northside Drive is a new road providing a direct East- West link between SH16 and the North Shore, via SH18. The site is 20km northwest of Auckland’s CBD and easily accessible to city and North Shore links. Finnegan says it is strategically positioned to benefit from the huge growth the northwest is experiencing.
Zoned for Light Industry under the Unitary Plan, Finnegan says the site provides a rare opportunity for owner- occupiers, land bankers and developers to secure a large corner site adjacent to Westgate town centre.
The property has a secondary entrance to Westgate Town Centre, delivering easier access to the Bulk Retail zone, while North Side Drive is a main thoroughfare connecting Westgate and Whenuapai and will be extended into the newly zoned 600ha Redhills Residential Precinct.
“Reflective of the extensive growth in its surrounds, Northside Drive is itself amid a renaissance with subdivisions well under way on both sides, creating an industrial and service retail hub,” he says. “More than 10,000 new homes are earmarked for the wider catchment area, which is growing hugely thanks to the 435ha North West Transformation – New Zealand’s largest planned residential development, which is now under way.”
The $ 1 billion North West Transformation will generate 20,000 new jobs and promote regional economic growth along with social, recreational, environmental and transport benefits.
The 56ha Westgate Town Centre development will include a new town square, a 3600sq m multi- use library, 6ha of open space, offices, ample parking and public transport links.
Westgate’s three new retail precincts, totalling 17ha, are already home to tenants including Mitre 10 Mega, Bunnings, Countdown, Briscoes and Farmers.
The wider North West Transformation includes a new village centre and Employment Park at Hobsonville, and a new community and residential precinct at Hobsonville Point.
“This predicted growth is nothing new for Westgate. We’ve known for years about the area’s prospective expansion and we’re now seeing this growth in fruition.
“It’s the ideal time to secure investments before prices surge.”
Recent 2013 Census data supports this forecast, identifying the area as a growth node with population forecast to grow four- fold by 2021.
While the Auckland region’s population grew by 8.5 per cent between the 2013 and 2016 Census dates, the population in the nearest territorial authorities, the local board areas of Rodney, Waitakere Ranges, Henderson, Massey and Upper Harbour grew by 11.85 per cent to an estimated 264,633, representing over 28,000 additional people to the area.
Auckland’s industrial land supply has tightened considerably over the last two to three years.
This i s especially acute in the North Shore area, resulting in strong price increases, and an increase in the uptake of North West sites.
The Westgate site’s zoning will allow for light manufacturing, pro- duction, logistics, storage, transport and distribution activities as well as limited retail activities for trade supplies, service stations, motor vehicle sales, garden centres and possibly some convenience retail that serves the local worker population.
Northside Drive will cater for future growth of the northern section of the new Westgate Town Centre and reduce congestion, consisting of cycle lanes, low impact drainage services, two lane carriageways and new signalled, intersection at Trig Road.
Its characteristics reflect the semirural nature of the area while retaining the 80km/ h speed limit required for it to function effectively.
Recent infrastructural improvements by way of water supply, waste water treatment and road improvements all underline Auckland Council’s commitment to supporting growth in this area.