Amberley commercial sections offer development opportunities

Further land development is likely in the thriving north Canterbury township of Amberley, with 14 commercial sections placed on the market for sale.

The chunk of land comprising the sections is located in Amberley Business Park on the outskirts of the township at 79 Carters Rd. The sections range from 1000-5000 sqm.

With the Amberley Township District Plan release of the business zoned land, the subdivisions have now become available for sale by negotiation. They are being marketed by Bayleys Canterbury salespeople Harry van Tongeren, Jeremy Speight and Jonathan Ahlfeld.

The sections are in a growing area of the township, east of State Highway 1, and 45 minutes from Christchurch International Airport.

Within the immediate area are an industrial site occupied by a Mobil petrol station and PGG Wrightson outlet. The sites are also near Brackenfields shopping centre, a Countdown supermarket and new residential subdivisions.

Mr van Tongeren said the subdivisions represented an opportunity to invest in a flourishing commercial and industrial area.

“The number of such businesses being developed and opening in this area represent a thriving market. For example Brackenfields –  a $20 million retail, residential, professional services and recreation centre – opened in May this year and is positioned to become the commercial hub of North Canterbury. Anchor tenant Countdown has been operating from the site for several months with a number of other tenants confirmed.

“On average, 21,000 people pass through Amberley daily. The location also functions as the commercial and retail hub for residents in the immediate catchment of the Hurunui, as well as wider North Canterbury.”

Mr Speight said: “Amberley is historically the commercial centre for the Hurunui District and is home to a number of services including the Hurunui District Council, Hurunui District Library, and a variety of commercial operators. It is also home to the growing retail hub of the district.”

Business in the region was evolving – with development prompting existing industrial businesses on Amberley’s main street to move outward to the township fringes, to be replaced with retail, he said.

The commercial subdivisions would appeal to savvy investors looking to develop industrial, engineering, manufacturing, distribution and transport businesses, Mr Speight said.

“With a modern and park-like environment, this new subdivision is set to achieve a well-presented and community based location for most business requirements.”

According to last year’s census, the population of the Amberley area was 1575, up from 1137 in the 2001 census and 1302 in 2006.

Under the Hurunui District Council plan for the town, an upgrade of the main street is proposed, along with creating a town centre business zone, and upgrading the north and south entrances. Residential subdivisions including Oakfields and Conway Country Estates will add more than 500 new sections.

The 14 sections at 79 Carters Rd are for sale by negotiation.

Abby Gillies writes for Bayleys Real Estate