Hospitality space at the tea kiosk, located on the popular tourist attraction, is being offered for lease by Jones Lang LaSalle’s (JLL) retail team following a restoration process to its former glory.

JLL national director of retail sales and leasing, Chris Beasleigh, who is leading the marketing campaign, said, “Due to the high profile location we anticipate this distinct property will generate a high volume of interest within the hospitality industry. The site is an ideal fit for an independent, new and trendy cafe that will incorporate its business into the historical surrounds of Maungawhau. The new business operator would support and relay the cultural and historical significances of the mountain and promote these messages to visitors.”

JLL’s retail team is leasing the building on behalf of the Tūpuna Maunga O Tāmaki Makaurau Authority and Auckland Council and is calling for all interested parties to submit their request for proposal by June 26.

The 355sqm premises comprise 229sqm of kitchen facilities and dining area, 58.4sqm containing the information centre, 67.2sqm of toilet facilities as well as 19 customer car parks. Rental price on the premises is by negotiation with a minimum five year lease term plus rights of renewal.

The kiosk is located at 250 Puhi Huia Road. The site is positioned within the Maungawhau-Mt Eden domain to the southeast of the Auckland central business district and located on the northern slopes of Maungawhau. It is accessed from Puhi Huia Road with a driveway leading up to the south side of the kiosk to a parking area on the west side. Another area of car parking is located at a lower level to the south of the building. The garden setting around the kiosk forms part of the wider landscape and incorporates features such as the level terrace, driveways, stone walls and stairs that are associated with the use of the kiosk. There are significant views from the north terrace filtered by trees that overlook the lower slopes of the mountain and out toward Auckland city.

The kiosk is one of four European structures on Maungawhau-Mt Eden that have been assessed as having considerable significance in the Maungawhau-Mt Eden conservation plan. The building is on a single level and designed in a Spanish mission style with a main gabled roof clad and Winstones terracotta roof tiles. Gabled walls to each end feature circular vents and a plain parapet capping.

Commissioned by the Mount Eden Borough Council and designed by architect A Sinclair O’Conner, the building was erected in 1926.  In the past, the premises have been used as tea rooms and a restaurant. The mountain remains a very popular tourist attraction and provides panoramic views of Auckland.

Beasleigh said, “We believe the perfect operator will revitalise and increase tourist numbers to the mountain whilst promoting and retaining its historical background. We envisage the future occupier will provide various amenities to both the locals and the abundance of tourists that flow through the area.”

“In addition to a normal cafe or restaurant, the future tenant will need to also cater for the multiple needs of visitors through provision of takeaway food and beverage options, ice cream and sun smart accessories as well as retaining the existing information kiosk,” said Beasleigh. 

The kiosk has recently undergone earthquake strengthening to ensure the building is compliant to 100 per cent of the current new building earthquake standards. With the strengthening work now completed, the building has been restored to its former glory with its historic integrity and character retained.

There are many options available that will enhance the visitor experience on Maungawhau. The JLL retail team expects these premises will appeal to a new cafe that will reinvent the area, subsequently driving footfall by providing an entertainment and function area that acknowledges the history of Maungwhau and the kiosk itself.

Under the provisions of the Historic Places Act, Maungawhau-Mt Eden is termed an archaeological site and therefore the kiosk cannot be destroyed, damaged or modified without authority from the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.