Office ‘chateau’ in classic style comes with its own fountain
A chateau-like modern suburban office building constructed in a classical Georgian architectural style – complete with its own gardens, water feature and fountain out front – is for sale.
The 764sq m building at 51 Apollo Drive on Auckland’s North Shore comprises a two-storey office block with substantial car parking, suitable for redevelopment to accommodate new buildings, as well as an English-style garden courtyard surrounded by manicured shrubs and small trees.
By contrast, the imposing building is surrounded by glass and steel faade office blocks. Apollo Drive and the surrounding Constellation Drive and Rosedale Rd precincts make up one of the North Shore’s biggest and newest commercial zones.
Sitting on some 2617sq m of flat contoured freehold land zoned Business – General Business under the Auckland Council Plan, the rectangular-shaped property at 51 Apollo Drive is being marketed for sale by tender through Barfoot & Thompson Commercial, North Shore, closing on August 26.
Salespeople Paul Vermaak and Bruce Jiao said the ground level contained some 360sq m of office and staff amenities such as a lunchroom and bathrooms, while the upper floor encompassed 404 sq m of open-plan office space and meeting rooms. It is being sold as vacant.
“In its current dual-level format, the building could continue to sustain a single-tenant format or alternatively be converted into a split-level tenancy configuration, utilising the grand entrance foyer as a ready-made reception area,” Vermaak said.
“Alternatively, the property could be bought as the basis for a redevelopment opportunity subject to appropriate council consents.
“Currently, the street-fronting portion of the premises is utilised for carparking for up to 34 vehicles.
“An indicative architect’s plan for subdivision of the front portion of the property has been drawn up to show the potential for the construction of 15 new commercial units ranging in size from 63 to 96 sq m and with carparking for two vehicles each.”
Jiao said a paved pathway encircled the front and sides of the existing commercial building, with a handful of wooden picnic-style bench tables interspersed for use by staff during their lunch breaks.
“Under a development intensification layout, these areas could potentially be enhanced to create a communal area for the wider working populous at the address – similar to what is being increasingly seen in Auckland CBD tower blocks, or part of the land could be allocated to creating new parking spaces for any tenant in the premises,” Jiao said.
Apollo Drive’s Business – General Business zoning provides for tenant business activities ranging from office and light industrial tenancies through to trade supply outlets.