Retail space for lease is now being offered within a new village centre planned for Epsom and Greenlane on an initial 1.8 ha stage one site adjoining Alexandra Park on the corner of Greenlane West and Manukau Rd.
Alexandra Park, the developer, earlier this year launched its 223 Green Lane West urban village concept spanning over 230 apartments and is now seeking tenants for over 5500sqm of ground floor space beneath four apartment buildings.
When completed, the project will see a village centre for Epsom and Greenlane comprising a High St and side streets like East Gate and One Tree Hill Plaza lined with cafes, restaurants, bars and shops.
“Epsom and Greenlane don’t have a village heart like the suburban villages of Mt Eden Parnell and Ellerslie, and this will give the area that heart,” says Ash Hira of Ray White Commercial, who with colleague Brice Clark is marketing the first of the retail space on offer in the ground level of building A within the complex. “This is one of the most significant residential and high end retail developments in Auckland.”
The site is only five kilometres from downtown Auckland and is within Epsom’s double grammar zone. Hira added that negotiations are advancing well on leasing some of the larger format spaces, with the inclusion of a specialist grocery store and the possibility of a gym for the area, along with a pharmacy and medical practices.
“Normally prospective tenants would be asking for the likes of demographic reports, but most operators understand this catchment well, with many keen to be here. The interest has been really strong, so we can achieve the best possible tenant mix with quality operators,” he said. “In effect we are actively promoting Auckland’s next restaurant and cafe destination with plenty of opportunity for alfresco dining in and around attractive promenades and public spaces.
The food and beverage outlets in 223 Green Lane West will also draw on walkers visiting nearby Cornwall Park; the many people who work and visit the Greenlane Clinical Centre within the former Greenlane Hospital complex; and those attending events at the ASB show grounds or conferences at Alexandra Park.
“We’re also looking to secure boutique lifestyle retailers offering the likes of giftware, homeware and beauty. Ground floor spaces now up for lease negotiation range in size from 62sqm to 508sqm,” Hira said. “We’re able to pick the best operators and those who can offer consumers something different. This village centre is going to be a real destination for locals and the wider Auckland population.”
Hira applauded Alexandra Park’s decision to bring in Vancouver based Canadian urban designer, Joe Hruda, of Civitas Urban Design to work on the master plan incorporating a village concept. He also said that unlike many new centre developments, the overwhelming amount of parking for about 200 vehicles will be underground, with only a smattering of street level car parks for the convenience store customers making quick visits.
