This is a fairly typical acquisition and refurbishment project for Isthmus Properties.
Formerly an old engineering works dating from the 1970s, this 6,800 sqm property was purchased by Isthmus in 2002. The property included 2,600 sqm of buildings which were in a very dilapidated condition with a legacy of abandoned fit out left behind by successive occupiers.
However Isthmus recognized that the buildings were on a prominent & level road front site, had good stud heights and were essentially sound. The building configuration also offered the flexibility to accommodate either one large Tenant, or multiple smaller Tenancies (as is now the case).
Working within the existing shells the buildings were cleaned out, re-clad, refurbished and painted to bring them up to a more contemporary standard. This included the creation of a drive around capacity for “B train” trucks and drive thru trade retail space for a building products supplier.
Isthmus also created a retail showroom space for their hardware & bathroom ware, large sealed yards for timber storage and generous customer parking areas. New Lynn ITM moved in January 2003.
After being vacated by ITM the buildings were further refurbished in 2013. This included obtaining a resource consent for an expansion of the retail space. Since then the property has operated as a multiple tenancy Organics Super Centre incorporating a mini organic supermarket, vegetarian café, bakery, natural products bedroom showroom & manufacturer, garden centre, coffee roaster and a natural health clinic. These businesses operate under 3 main tenancies with sub-tenancies likely to evolve over time.
The hope is that this property will become a niche “destination centre” for these types of products & services.
This property remains part of the Isthmus portfolio.
