A former warehouse in Auckland’s CBD once owned by Kiwi author Barry Crump is for sale.
The mixed-use property at 40 Airedale Street was owned by Crump in the early 1990s and used as a storage space for his books.
Crump sold more than a million copies of novels including A Good Keen Man, There and back, A Good Keen Girl and Bastards I Have Met, and his 1986 work Wild Pork and Watercress was adapted into the hit 2016 film Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
Since passing out of Crump's hands, the standalone two-storey building has been transformed into a workshop and office with two apartments above.
Start your property search
Bayleys sales agents Alan Haydock and Damien Bullick are marketing the property for sale by way of tender, closing on September 15.
It comprises a building of approximately 366sqm, plus deck and courtyard areas, on 230sqm of freehold land and includes three secure off-street car parks.
Haydock said the property was currently owner-occupied and was available with vacant possession, with the potential to negotiate a short-term leaseback to the vendor.
“The original industrial building was constructed in the 1950s and converted some 15 years ago into a mixed-use property,” he said.
“The ground floor consists of an office and workshop plus a garage/workspace which allows three stacked car parks. The first floor houses two apartments – each with two bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen and an open-plan living area.”
Haydock said the property lent itself well to a live-work arrangement, as per its current use. Alternatively, it could be divided into two or three separate tenancies for a diversified income stream.
“In addition, there is significant value-add potential generated by the site’s flexible zoning, which encourages intensification for commercial and residential uses.
“The Business – City Centre zoning under Auckland Council’s unitary plan allows for a building height of up to 50 metres, subject to council consent, with activities including residential accommodation, offices and retail,” he said..
“This, combined with a strategic location in an area ripe for a major ramp-up in activity, affords this site exceptional development potential and multiple options for future owners.”
Bullick said completion of the Auckland City Rail Link, due in 2024, would further boost the location’s accessibility and popularity, and lift real estate activity.
“This area is well served by the inner-city bus network and is only about a five-minute drive from the motorways. When the City Rail Link’s new Aotea Station opens, it will be less than 10 minutes’ walk from Airedale Street."
