Changing face of suburban Auckland

Media Release
Date 3.10.2011

Mixed-use commercial block reflects the changing face of suburban Auckland

A portfolio of five new boutique beachside office suites with some of the most outstanding suburban views of Auckland’s waterfront is being offered for lease to individual tenancies.

The newly developed mixed-use block at 387 Tamaki Drive in St Heliers is a three storey building – with multiple retail tenancies on the ground floor and five office suites in the level above. The top floor has been developed to accommodate three residential apartments.

One of the offices has already been let. The four remaining offices available for lease range in size from 119 square-metres up to 164 square-metres – three with their own private balconies adding additional space – and are jointly being marketed by Bayleys Real Estate commercial salesperson Leah Lahood and Sue de Jong of Barfoot and Thompson.

Ms Lahood said several design and landscaping considerations had been added to what was the original plan for the 1214 square mete corner site. These considerations included a central public courtyard – allowing four of the tenancies within the U-shaped building to have views of the harbour, and to allow for a public amenity on the site.

Ms Lahood said the new office suites would suit professional or consultancy service companies such as architectural, legal or accounting firms, or advertising and design agencies. Each office comes with one allocated on-site car parking space.

“The vista and location enjoyed by these offices, combined with the extremely high design and construction standards, mean they are ideally suited for high-end businesses,” Ms Lahood said.

Ms de Jong said the Tamaki Drive property reflected the type of mixed-use premises developments highlighted in Auckland Council’s Auckland Unleashed discussion blueprint circulated earlier this year.

“We are seeing more and more mixed-use developments being constructed around Auckland’s CBD suburb fringe which encompass residential and commercial use. This site for example also has retail usage to add diversity to the shops and retail outlets in St Heliers’ shopping hub,” she said.

“What were the city fringe commercial locations of Newmarket, Parnell and Khyber Pass are now moving out further away from the CBD as smaller owner/operator style businesses seek locations separate from larger corporates. Locations such as St Heliers more reflect their boutique nature and service style.

“The development at 387 Tamaki Drive is the first major construction of its type to be seen in St Heliers - which has traditionally been a residential suburb supported by predominantly food and beverage retailers. Those retailers have already indicated they are looking forward to what will be an influx of staff from these offices, in addition to the customers they are servicing.”

Ms Lahood said that typically, smaller owner/operator businesses locating out to suburban Auckland locations were more focused on a customer base which came from within a 10 kilometre radius. For the offices at 387 Tamaki Drive, this catchment area would include Parnell, Remuera, St Johns, Newmarket, and Glendowie.

“Commercial activity reflects societal habits in this respect. People would rather ‘stay local’ for a coffee and brunch on the weekend rather than head across the city. The same applies for small business owners when utilising the likes of their lawyer, accountant, or graphic designer,” Ms Lahood said.

“These stunning offices with their beachside proximity are perfectly located to capture a very affluence customer base around the Eastern Bays suburbs,” she added.

In addition to on-site parking amenities, there are a considerable number of 60 minute free parking bays on both Tamaki Drive and Maheke Street. The offices are accessed by both a lift and stairwell, and are serviced by a ducted heating, and ventilation system.

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