As significant industrial-led development projects progress in Wiri, the squeeze is on favourably-zoned land for future growth which underscores a current accessible opportunity in one of the area’s most established industrial precincts.

The approximately 3,163sqm site at 9 Druces Road, Wiri has come to the market under mortgagee sale conditions and agents marketing the property say this is fuelling buyer interest.

The flat, rectangular site with 42 metres of road frontage to Druces Road, a key link between Wiri Station Road and Kerrs Road, supports a circa-720sqm building previously used for food-grade operations. While the mortgagee status of the property has to date not allowed a full inspection of the building to take place, it would suggest potential for refurbishment, repurposing or demolition to optimise the value and location of the site.

The Business - Light Industry zoning allows for a wide range of industrial and commercial uses, subject to necessary consent, and is primed for future redevelopment.

On instruction, Greg Hall, James Hill, and Sunil Bhana of Bayleys South Auckland are taking the property to mortgagee auction on 16th July.

Enduring demand for industrial space in Wiri means this property is turning heads, says Hall.

“Ordinarily, a property like this would get robust enquiry under standard sale conditions because it’s a great bit of land, but when you add in the mortgagee overlay, buyer interest ramps up to another level.

“The cliché of ‘they’re not making any more land like this’ rings very true in Wiri-Manukau. You only need to clock what the big players in the sector are doing in the broader area to see the upside inherent in the subject site for a new owner looking to leverage the locational advantages here.

“James Kirkpatrick Group [JKGL], is progressing with New Zealand’s largest new warehouse hub on 65ha of land in nearby Puhinui Road where it’s making the firm’s single largest investment in more than 65 years in business. JKGL has stated that the phenomenal location underpinned its decision to advance with a $1 billion warehouse park.”

That confidence in the strategic South Auckland precinct is also demonstrated by ESR’s (formerly LOGOS) Wiri Logistics Estate, where multiple large-scale logistics and distribution buildings span around 23.9 hectares of land with high-profile occupiers including Woolworths and NZ Post.

Bhana says the Druces Road property is a compelling opportunity for investors, developers, or owner-occupiers seeking a strong foothold in a high-growth location where property is tightly-held.

“Streamlined access is a key driver for businesses in the Wiri area and this property is just a few hundred metres from the SH20 motorway interchange, other main arterial routes such as Cavendish Drive, Roscommon Road, and Great South Road, and has good connectivity to Auckland Airport.

“In its current guise, the site is arguably underutilised and if redeveloped, could support a 1,500-2,000sqm industrial facility with efficient egress. Likewise, it could also suit a yard user, and the light industrial zoning would cater for this.”

Other businesses in the area reflect the broad usage allowed under the zoning, says Hill, noting that the subject property was used for a food-grade operation.

“Neighbouring properties include industrial machinery and automotive-related operations, manufacturing, transport and distribution, and engineering businesses.

“Druces Road is well-positioned to offer valuable operational efficiencies and with the owner-occupier segment of market strong at the moment, this could be an opportunity to secure a foothold in a wider precinct that is attracting significant investment.”