Foodstuffs sells vacant ex-car dealership Takapuna site for $13.1m after supermarket plan dropped

“We’re going to do a three to four million dollar makeover to refresh it,” Cooper said of the existing premises.

Auction rooms would be established on the new site, he said.

Negotiations are also ongoing with other businesses to lease other parts of the site.

That includes a childcare business, Cooper said.

“This will be very good for that part of Takapuna, to be occupied and get the vibe going again. It’s been a sad end of town once a lot of spaces are left vacant.”

It has been some years since executives at Foodstuffs mentioned plans for a New World on the Takapuna site.

Blair Peterken, director of capital markets for Colliers in New Zealand, announced the sale, referring to its premium corner position.

He sold it with colleagues Peter Herdson and Shoneet Chand on the transaction.

The property has 2426sq m of total net lettable area on a 3386sq m freehold site, in five titles.

It was advertised with about 50 on-site car parks.

Premises from 40sq m to 200sq m are now being advertised for lease.

“After more than 20 years, Harcourts Cooper & Co are on the move, and we want you to join us at our new home,” the agency says.

Buildings will be “redesigned, reimagined and reborn into a high quality mixed-used development in central Takapuna. Creating new spaces for office, retail, professional services and hospitality to thrive”.

Cooper said the $13.1m was significant.

“I’m very committed to the long-term growth of the area in which I live and work.

“This will be a substantial refresh of the building and we look forward to bringing a bit of life and vibrance back to this area which has been empty and neglected for so long.”

A Foodstuffs North Island spokeswoman said part of the regular planning process identified the site as no longer required.

“We listed the site to allow us to reinvest in areas that better support our focus on building a stronger network to deliver long-term value for our customers and communities,” she said.

Foodstuffs operates a small-format New World Metro within the mall at Takapuna.

Mercedes and BMW once traded from the Lake Rd/Bracken Ave corner site.

Mercedes moved to Fred Thomas Drive, while BMW moved to Wairau Rd some years ago.

Foodstuffs continues to plan a new $100m Pak’nSave at Takapuna not far from the centre.

A store of more than half a hectare is allowed at 6 Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna with 197 carparking spaces near the motorway on- and off-ramps near Esmonde Rd.

That 6461sq m building has been consented but no construction work has started.

If it is built, that store will be larger than Foodstuff’s new 6100sq m Pak’nSave Highland Park, opened last February, which was so popular that trolleys ran out.

The Takapuna supermarket is consented for the greenfields ex-rubbish dump reclaimed site at 6 Fred Thomas Drive, opposite The Lake House and Rosmini College.

The site was historically part of the Barrys Point Landfill, which closed in the 1970s. The site is generally flat in topography and is currently vacant, finished in grass.

Pedestrian access will be from Des Swan Drive and Fred Thomas Drive. A travellator will get people up to the supermarket level from Fred Thomas Drive below.

Anne Gibson has been the Herald’s property editor for 26 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.