Media Release
22.9.2014
Sporting teams’ in-demand motel goes on the market for sale
The land, buildings and business comprising the Howick Motor Lodge in Auckland have been placed on the market for sale.
The freehold property features 10 units running at an occupancy rate of 70 percent. The make up of guests is spread
across business travelers and a strong contingency of sports teams playing in competitions at the nearby Lloyd Elsmore
Park which has soccer, cricket, hockey and rugby pitches.
The motel’s room configuration is split between six split-level family units with upstairs and downstairs accommodation
sleeping up to six guests, and four studio units sleeping up to three guests. Rack rates range from $130 per night for a
studio unit and $150 per night for a family unit.
The Howick Motor Lodge is being marketed for sale at auction on October 22 by Bayleys Auckland. Salesperson Shiona Dyer
said the business could function under an owner/operator model or was big enough to sustain an on-site manager.
The motel is zoned as mixed housing suburban under the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan, however Ms Dyer said the quality
of the property meant it would most likely continue operating as a motel. The motel sits on 1677 square metres of land.
“We’ve had the property assessed by industry professionals as to future use potential, and the feedback is that its
value lies in operating as a commercial accommodation provider rather than strata titling the individual units into
separate dwellings, or constructing medium density homes.”
The business includes a four-bedroom owner’s residence, with a front office reception area.
Each of the units comes with their own outdoor courtyard or balcony, full-size stove and microwave in the kitchen, and
SKY TV connection. The motel has a free-standing swimming pool with adjoining bbq area, laundry, and has been
successfully trading for nine years.
In addition to its proximity to Lloyd Elsmore Park, the Howick Motor Lodge also benefits from its prominent profile on
the Pakuranga Highway which links Howick to both State Highway One and Auckland CBD. The motel is also used by corporate
guests while working short-term at the nearby Highbrook Business Centre.
“The domestic, sports-based clientele repeat booking at the Howick Motor Lodge has remained relatively steady over the
past six or seven years, and unlike the corporate sector, was never really affected by the global financial crisis,” Ms
Dyer said.
“Most of the sports-related repeat bookings are from teams playing in annual tournaments, where they tend to come back
year after year – booking up to 10 months in advance to secure their accommodation for the following year.
“That sort of long-term business continuity has allowed the Howick Motor Lodge’s operators to accrue a planned budget
for regular property maintenance and interior décor and fitting refurbishment – enabling the business to command premium
pricing levels.
“That constant refurbishment programme has meant the business has successfully avoided the common trap of many motels in
becoming tired and run-down, leading to a consequent drop in revenues, in what becomes a downward spiral.”
Ms Dyer said potential buyers would consequently be able to take confidence that minimal refurbishment was required at
the Howick Motor Lodge in the short to medium-term, allowing new operators to concentrate on familiarising themselves
with the business and its clientele for the first year of trading.
“The lodge’s current owners are willing to discuss a potential hand-over period with any potential buyers if required or
sell the business with a fixed possession date in mind,” she said.