Members strongly approve Alexandra Park’s village plans
At a Special General Meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club this week members voted overwhelmingly in support of
developing a new urban village on part of the site’s existing car-park.
“Keeping harness racing alive in Auckland for the coming decades is now looking a lot more secure. This latest support
from our members’ caps off what has been a great year for the club – its 125th year no less,” says Alexandra Park CEO
Dominique Dowding.
Ms Dowding says the club’s formal decision to proceed with the project’s estimated $205.4m cost was the biggest decision
the members have ever made. Members voted for the club’s “mixed used” residential, retail and hospitality proposal
knowing it is key to the club’s long term viability.
Alexandra Park’s 223 Green Lane West development will see the car-park adjacent to the ASB Showgrounds transformed into
a mixed-use precinct comprising of 4,773sqm of ground floor retail space with 231 apartments above. Apartment prices
will range from $550,000 through to $2.8m+ for a penthouse.
“We’re lucky because Alexandra Park is seen as pretty iconic real estate. It’s a very central location that’s just
waiting to be drastically improved. We expect the sales process to be hot, with apartments appealing to the likes of
empty nesters, young urban professionals, and families seeking the much sought after double grammar zone.
“What we’re trying to achieve here is a really attractive and stylish 21st century urban village with great design,
amenities and public spaces in the heart of Epsom. Aesthetically it’s going to be a huge transformation from the ugly
old dust-bowl car-park to a new village with great boutique retail stores and top food and beverage. It will be a real
lifestyle destination,” says Ms Dowding.
Originally Alexandra Park had consent for three commercial buildings but Dowding says the club revisited this when
Auckland Council’s draft Unitary Plan presented itself and promoted a greater emphasis on Auckland delivering more
residential developments on brownfield sites. The park’s underlying zoning is now proposed as “Major Recreational
Facility” with 223 Green Lane West now deemed “Mixed Use”.
The consented development would see the club retain ownership of the ground floor retail space boosting its rental
income stream, while the apartments in the four buildings above would be sold under freehold unit titles.
Given most of the project’s cost will be borrowed up front, Ms Dowding says the club has gone to significant lengths to
mitigate any risk.
Ms Dowding says all things being equal Alexandra Park’s new real estate offerings would come to the market in February
next year with future trucks moving people in by the end of 2016.
She says rest assured, an excited Alexandra Park will be releasing more information about its urban village over coming
months.
Ends