Commercial zone adds value to beachfront property

The potential spread of commercial activity from Orewa town centre across the road to the beachfront is again on the horizon with two properties right next to Moana Reserve up for sale.

Last week, 309A and B Hibiscus Coast Highway were put on the market by short notice tender, closing on December 14. The land is zoned Business Town Centre, which allows for cafés and restaurants, with apartments above.

Real estate agent Karen Clark, of NZ Sotheby’s International Realty, says a boutique hotel is also a possibility for the sites. She says both properties are currently held in private hands.

Currently, there are two townhouses set on approximately 819sqm of beachfront. The zoning allows for building up to 8.5m (two storeys), but Karen says there is the potential to go slightly higher with resource consent.

Karen says a developer would be the perfect buyer “as they are most likely to go through with Council’s vision, whereas a private purchaser might want to secure the property for their own use without considering the development potential”.

“If that does occur it might be a long time before Council’s vision of beachfront restaurants and cafes is realised,” she says.

At the end of 2014, the first property on the Orewa beachfront with business zoning, at 305 Hibiscus Coast Highway, was marketed for sale.

It was withdrawn from sale in 2015.