A high profile property on Ponsonby Road, which has been owned by the New Zealand Fire Service since the early 1920s is up for sale offering a wide range of possibilities for its next owner.
A high profile property on Ponsonby Road, which has been owned by the New Zealand Fire Service since the early 1920s is up for sale offering a wide range of possibilities for its next owner.
The property is now surplus to Fire Service requirements as a result of the station’s relocation to nearby Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn in May. Bayleys Real Estate has been appointed to market the 1400sq m site at 182 Ponsonby Road, on the corner with Lincoln Street, along with the approximately 820sq m two-level building located on it.
The property is up for sale with vacant possession by tender closing on 8 December 2016 through Cameron Melhuish and Mike Adams.
“The site is located on one of the busiest parts of Ponsonby Road just south of where it intersects with Franklin Road in a rapidly developing part of Ponsonby,” says Melhuish. “It represents an outstanding opportunity for either a developer, add value investor or owner occupier to make their mark in this thriving commercial precinct.
“It is one of the last remaining development sites of this size in this tightly held location with is array of upmarket cafes, bars, restaurants and boutique retail outlets. Its two street frontages add to its development potential which could include a mix of high profile ground floor retail or food and beverage premises with luxury apartments or premium offices above. It also presents an opportunity for an owner occupier to utilise the existing building to create bespoke premises to strongly brand their business.”
Adams says the current building which has a high level of exposure to Ponsonby Road was completed in 1980. It has three fire engine bays with ancillary office, service and training areas on the ground level. Upstairs are former firemen’s quarters, bathroom and shower facilities, kitchen and eating areas and further common areas.
“The ‘bones’ of the existing building could be incorporated into a redevelopment of the site,” says Adams.
“Behind the building, and accessed off Lincoln Street, a large sealed area previously used for the Fire Service’s training and parking requirements, could be developed further.
“There is also potential to use land at the front of the premises off Ponsonby Road for outdoor seating for a restaurant or café or for off street parking. It might also be possible to add a third-floor level across the site which is zoned Business - Town Centre under the new unitary plan. It’s a very versatile property offering a heap of options.”
The Town Centre zoning applies to 41 suburban centres throughout Auckland, typically located on main arterial roads which have good public transport access. It permits a wide range of activities including commercial, leisure, residential, tourist, cultural, community and civic facilities. Adams says a height limit of 13 metres has been set for this area to ensure that any new development is in keeping with the height of other buildings along Ponsonby Road.
The Fire Service will be ending more than 90 years of occupation of its Ponsonby Road site when it sells the property. Its first building on the land, opened in 1924, was a four-bay brick building complete with living accommodation for firefighters and their families. It was replaced by the present station in 1980.
From to 1899 to 1923, the fire station was located on the corner of Williamson Avenue and Rose Road, now a heritage building occupied by a restaurant.