Interested parties are being sought to collaborate with Auckland Council to purchase and activate a strategically located large scale site within the masterplanned Ormiston Town Centre precinct.

The freehold 7,220sqm (more or less) parcel of land at 65 Haddington Drive, Flat Bush is zoned Business - Town Centre and provides a range of mixed-use development possibilities within the high-profile and growing neighbourhood.

Gerald Rundle, Mike Adams and Tony Chaudhary of Bayleys have been appointed to take the property through a deadline private treaty process closing 9th April, and it will not be sold prior.

Bayleys took the landholding to the open market on behalf of Auckland Council two years ago and while that process generated good interest, feedback suggested that developers were more inclined towards solely commercial projects without a prescribed residential component – which at that time, was a requirement.

“Auckland Council took this feedback onboard, and agreed that a purely commercial project would still be appropriate in the location, would meet the holistic goals of the Town Centre masterplan, and support employment growth in the Ormiston precinct,” explains Rundle, Bayleys director of corporate projects and development land sales.

“The Essential Outcomes guiding document reflects this change in stance, and with a residential component no longer requisite, we believe the development sector will respond.”

The regular-shaped site has three road frontages providing maximum exposure and access options. It is located between a PAK'nSAVE supermarket and new medium density housing, opposite the Ormiston Medical Centre, and lies adjacent to the Ormiston Town Centre retail complex.

The successful purchaser will acquire the title to the land with an obligation to achieve the essential outcomes for the site as outlined in Auckland Council’s Essential Outcomes and Design Guidelines dated May 2024.

These essential outcomes include high quality design, activation to the Ormiston Road frontage to allow for public engagement by way of retail, commercial, public use or residential lobbies, and applicable New Zealand Green Building Council Green Star/Homestar rating certification.

The favourable Business - Town Centre zoning provides for a wide range of uses, with a development height limit of 32.5m, which would allow for buildings of up to eight storeys across parts of the site.

With close to 90,000 people already calling Ormiston home and projected future population growth, Adams says the precinct is a proven location with a high standard of purpose-built infrastructure and amenities which should resonate with developers looking for an opportunity in the new real estate cycle.

“The improving economic outlook off the back of interest rate drops and stable inflation means there’s more confidence in the market generally and this supports the value proposition of the subject site,” says Adams.

“It is high-profile with frontage to Haddington Drive, the main arterial Ormiston Road, and Pencaitland Drive and is close to excellent transport links for good connectivity.

“Ormiston is a textbook example of a planned community with strong amenity. Reflective of the demographic, there are multiple schools across all levels in the broader area, diverse retail and service offerings, and good medical and healthcare provision.

“Recognising the growth fundamentals of the wider area, Ormiston Hospital and Healthcare, a joint-venture partnership with Southern Cross Healthcare, recently opened a state-of-the-art $38 million wing to expand its footprint and future-proof facilities which demonstrates commitment and confidence in the location.”

The Ormiston Town Centre retail/commercial hub was built by Todd Property Group in partnership with the urban development arm of Auckland Council and opened in 2021. It offers supermarkets, gyms, a cinema complex, department stores, food and beverage outlets, and a mix of health and beauty and speciality services.

Ormiston is 4.5 kilometres from the southern motorway (exit 449), five kilometres from Manukau city centre, and 25 kilometres from Auckland city centre.