Sign In / Register
Urban Partners, owners of the derelict Waiwera Spa Resort, have put the former Waiwera campground, at the southern end of their property, on the market.
The nearly 18,000sqm site includes about a hectare of flat land with direct beach access.
The property is being marketed by Colliers. Agent Josh Coburn says the site is a premium offering that benefits from amazing views and is development-ready through an existing agreement with Watercare for wastewater connections.
“The Watercare agreement guarantees wastewater capacity for developments of scale on the campground site,” Coburn says. “This represents a significant opportunity for buyers, potentially putting the site years ahead of competing stock.”
He says that recommissioning of an on-site bore would provide access to geothermal waters, offering opportunities for wellness, sustainability, and premium amenities such as private hot tubs and pools.
Colliers was also involved in the 2020 attempt to sell the Waiwera Thermal Pools site. At the time, Urban Partners said they were open to a sale or a joint venture to develop the site as a day spa with hotel, micro-brewery and apartments. However, no sale or joint venture eventuated.
Urban Partners chief executive Grieg Staples said last week that while Urban Partners was not yet in a position to make an announcement, it remained fully committed to reestablishing a world-class thermal resort at the pool site.
“The thermal hot springs industry is highly specialised, with only a small number of parties possessing the expertise required to develop and operate a high-quality thermal resort,” he says.
“Recent challenges, including the impacts of Covid-19, the property downturn, and the tough economic climate, have slowed progress towards our goal.”
The nearly two-hectare property has been closed since 2018.
