A backpacker hostel, rehab centre or rest home are among future uses mooted for a sprawling former electrical apprentice training centre for sale in Auckland’s Bombay.

The now disused facility helped launch the careers of numerous electricians who have gone on to work across Auckland and beyond. The property encompasses a 16-20 bedroom student accommodation complex and training facility plus a separate manager’s cottage on more than 2.4 hectares of park-like grounds.

The site has an appraised rental earning capacity of up to $250,000 plus GST per annum.

Now on the market for the first time in 27 years, the Bombay property is being offered to new owners with vacant possession.

The freehold land and buildings at 20 Helland Drive, Bombay, Auckland, are being marketed for sale through Tom Davison and Shane Snijder of Bayleys Real Estate.

The site will be sold by deadline private treaty closing on Tuesday 23 April, unless it is sold earlier.

The property encompasses approximately 1,290 square metres of buildings on some 2.41 hectares of land, zoned Mixed Rural under the Auckland Unitary Plan.

Reflecting its previous use as a “one-stop shop” for training future electricians, the complex features modest student accommodation, a spacious dining area, open-plan indoor recreational space and a purpose-built training area. A fully functional commercial kitchen is available to cater for large groups.

The buildings are set within picturesque, private, park-like grounds, less than 1.5 kilometres from a State Highway 1 interchange enabling easy access north to Auckland or south towards Waikato.

“This is an exceptional and unique opportunity for owner-occupiers or add-value investors, who can repurpose and use or lease out the existing infrastructure,” Davison said.

“With appropriate approvals, this could make an ideal backpacker accommodation, a religious or cultural centre, or rest home, and it could be considered for a host of other business and recreational purposes.

“Land bankers are finding properties like this, in prime locations, are getting harder and harder to find. Developers may see an opportunity to investigate possible subdivision in a fast-growing area which is sprouting numerous successful housing projects,” said Davison.

Snijder said a new owner and/or occupier stood to benefit from $2.4 billion of government investment in road and rail improvements to support population growth in an area whose expansion is greatly outpacing the wider region.

“Located on the southern edge of the Auckland region, the prosperous traditionally rural area around Bombay has been undergoing a transformation. The growth of Auckland City has led to rapid property and infrastructure development.

“The area between Drury and Pokeno is now synonymous with capital investment from institutional developers, such as Kiwi Income Property Trust, Oyster Capital and Fulton Hogan. Various large-scale industrial, residential and commercial development projects are rapidly establishing this as South Auckland’s epicentre,” said Snijder.

Click here for more information on the listing.