Villa Maria selling surplus land
New Zealand winery Villa Maria is selling 10.5ha of surplus industrial land at its Auckland estate as it looks to expand grape production outside the region.
The Villa Maria Industrial Portfolio comprises three lots of undeveloped freehold land on Oruarangi R d and Pavilion Dr in the Auckland International Airport industrial precinct.
All three lots are on the periphery of Villa Maria’s extensive estate, which comprises an acclaimed winery, vineyard, restaurant and conference centre.
Colliers International has been appointed to market the surplus land for sale by deadline private treaty, with offers closing at 4pm on Thursday, December 12.
Colliers’ industrial directors Paul Jarvie, Greg Goldfinch and Brad Johnston describe it as a rare opportunity to acquire development land next to one of Auckland’s best-known properties.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unlock the potential of an extensive landholding in one of Auckland’s premier industrial locations,” says Jarvie.
“Villa Maria has a long association with the Mangere area, dating back to 1961. Sir George Fistonich was only 21 years old when he planted his first vines on an acre of land that he’d leased off his father.
“Sir George used grapes harvested from this block to make his first wine under the Villa Maria name in 1962.
“Throughout the 1960s Villa Maria was a one-man band with support from Sir George’s wife, Gail.
“He made dry red and white wines, sourcing grapes from the greater Auckland region.
“In the early 1970s Sir George started to employ staff and the company expanded rapidly.
“Today, Villa Maria is New Zealand’s most awarded winery. It employs more than 250 permanent staff, grows 28 different grape varieties, exports wine to over 60 countries worldwide, and has recently been recognised as the third most admired wine brand in the world.
“The conference centre and winery is a beloved venue that hosts many local and international meetings, conferences, weddings and concerts each year. The estate is recognised for its high amenity, curated by landscape and architecture.
“As Villa Maria looks to expand its wine manufacturing and production in the Hawke’s Bay, surplus land at its Auckland estate is being released to the market for sale as three individual land parcels.”
Jarvie says potential buyers have the option to acquire one, two, or all three, blocks. “There are multiple options for future use including occupying, developing, land-banking or potentially subdividing the land further.
“This is a truly outstanding opportunity to invest in a tightly held, premium industrial location with a storied history.
“Potential purchasers can benefit and leverage off the amenity of the location and also consider complimentary activities.”
Lot 1 is a 2.5221ha freehold site at 90 Pavilion Dr, which was part of the ‘Airpark’ industrial subdivision that created the Pavilion-Penihana area.
The Pavilion Dr block also benefits from two additional rights of way and the availability of three-waters public services.
The second parcel is a 4.9868ha freehold site at 350 Oruarangi Rd, known as the northern block.
The northern block is positioned adjacent to the Villa Maria Estate, with a northwest aspect to Puketutu Island and Manukau Harbour. There is potential for further subdivision.
Some services are in place to the boundary, while access to others is through the Villa Maria Estate.
The third parcel is known as the harbour view block and is part of 470 Oruarangi Rd. It will have an estimated area of 3ha, subject to subdivision and final survey.
The harbour view block also borders the Villa Maria Estate in a uniquely elevated position, with a northwest aspect and stunning views of the Manukau Harbour.
The harbour view block is accessed via Pavilion Dr and can be combined with Lot 1 at 90 Pavilion Dr.
All three sites are zoned Business Light Industry, which enables a wide range of industrial and commercial uses including manufacturing, production, logistics, storage, transport and distribution facilities. Jarvie also notes that certification has been obtained that the Pavilion and northern blocks are not sensitive by virtue of the Overseas Investment Act.
Goldfinch, industrial national director at Colliers, says the properties are superbly located at the heart of the established Auckland airport industrial precinct.
“Each property is a short drive to George Bolt Memorial Dr, which is the main thoroughfare linking the airport to the south with State Highway 20 to the north.
“The airport is only 3.3km away, the Mangere Bridge retail area is 5km away, and Auckland’s CBD is some
25km to the north.” Goldfinch says the area has undergone significant infrastructure investment in recent years, which has greatly improved accessibly.
“These improvements include upgrades to SH20 and the completion of the Western Ring Route, which links all three of Auckland’s main motorways via the Waterview Connection.”
The area around Villa Maria Estate is mostly comprised of medium to large format light industrial buildings.
Nearby neighbours include Sistema, Air New Zealand, and Mainfreight, and the wider airport precinct is home to a great number of freight-forwarding, logistics, and importing and exporting businesses.
Johnston says enormous occupier demand and limited available private land is fuelling high growth in the area.
“One notable development is Auckland International Airport’s new world-class industrial precinct, ‘The Landing’, which has attracted numerous corporates such as Foodstuffs, Fuji Xerox and Mercedes.
“The airport and wider area is also growing in popularity as a mixed-use business location, with a wide range of accommodation, conference, hospitality, retail and office developments.
“A key demand driver is the huge projected growth in passengers through the airport, which is already the busiest in New Zealand and the second busiest in Australasia.
“Passenger numbers are set to increase from 19 million in 2017 to 40 million by 2044, prompting a massive investment programme.
“Auckland International Airport is planning to invest around $2 billion in aeronautical infrastructure, roading and public transport by 2022. A second runway will be operational by
2028.”
Johnston says Auckland continues to experience strong tourism growth, but the sector is constrained by undersupply of hotel beds.
“Potential buyers could explore the possibility of developing shortstay accommodation on the sites given their proximity to the airport, stunning vistas and unique position right next to the famous Villa Maria Estate. Options also exist for a business park campus.”