Rewrite future of favourably-zoned Devonport site

Now surplus to vendor requirements, a freehold landholding on the periphery of Devonport Village is for sale, offering owner occupiers, developers and add-value investors the opportunity to secure one of the few Light Industry-zoned sites in the tightly-held coastal suburb.

The substantial 1,535sqm property at 25 Lake Road on the southern approach to Devonport, and opposite Waitematā Golf Club, has direct street frontage, strong profile and multiple access points, creating a flexible platform for occupation, refurbishment or redevelopment.

The existing 263sqm building originally operated as a Mobil service station before transitioning to automotive and light industrial activity. Its layout and established vehicle circulation provide a functional base for contractors, trade operators, logistics users or automotive businesses seeking a presence in Devonport, where suitable sites are exceptionally limited.

Vacant possession will allow incoming buyers to utilise the building as is, reposition it for industrial, automotive or retail use, or investigate more comprehensive redevelopment options outside of the current zoning.

Owned by Woolworths New Zealand, the site was intended to accommodate an online order collection depot for a proposed direct-to-boot service. While those plans did not proceed, the strategic location remains a core advantage. The property sits on Devonport’s main transport corridor, providing strong visibility and convenient access to the village, ferry services and wider North Shore connections. The surrounding area is characterised by established residential neighbourhoods and commercial buildings, and the absence of heritage constraints on the subject site strengthens its appeal by allowing a wider range of future uses and redevelopment pathways

The property is for sale by deadline private treaty closing Thursday 22nd October, unless sold prior, through Michael Nees, Simon Farland and Richard Moors of Bayleys North Shore Commercial.

The scarcity of commercial land in Devonport underpins the opportunity, says Nees.

“It is incredibly hard to find this sort of footprint in Devonport, particularly with Light Industry zoning and a substantial yard. Sites like this seldom come to the market and when they do, the interest is intense.

“The underlying land value reinforces the strength of the location and the long term fundamentals.”

The property’s flexibility is expected to attract a wide range of buyers, with the existing structure likely to have inherent value to an owner-occupier but the site also having intrinsic potential for redevelopment given the size.

“We anticipate a new owner will either adapt the existing building or potentially clear the site and start again,” Nees says.

“It has a good yard and excellent access, so it would suit a contractor or any operator needing functional outdoor space.”

Nees says the timing of the campaign aligns with broader interest in the peninsula.

“There is renewed focus on Devonport as both a residential and commercial destination, with the likes of Peninsula Capital progressing plans to redevelop sites within the village itself, so buyers will recognise the opportunity to secure a strategic position in one of Auckland’s most desirable suburbs.”