A former Ponsonby police station is for sale along with a rare mixed-use development opportunity in one of the most vibrant locations on Auckland’s city fringe.

Developers, investors and owner-occupiers are expected to vie for the property for sale on Jervois Road, considered one of the last remaining development sites in central Ponsonby.

The more than 845-square metre site has a commanding corner position amid the upmarket cafes, restaurants and shops of the lively Three Lamps precinct. It is consented for a five-level development with 15 spacious luxury apartments, high-profile ground-floor shops and basement car parking.

Bayleys salespeople say there is also plenty of scope for buyers to consider their own development ideas or to adapt and/or extend the existing buildings to create a bespoke city-fringe base for their business. Another existing resource consent would enable new owners to repurpose the main current building to create a bar/restaurant hospitality offering.

“This site was owned by the Crown for 150 years and has housed a variety of buildings including the Ponsonby Community Hall, a fire station and two police stations,” said Cameron Melhuish of Bayleys.

“Now a new owner has the chance to make their mark on what is potentially one of Ponsonby's last remaining substantial development sites.”

The freehold land and buildings at 10-12 Jervois Road, Ponsonby, Auckland, are being marketed for sale by Melhuish and colleagues James Were and Tommy Zhang of Bayleys Auckland Central.

Sale is by way of a tender closing on Tuesday 11 March, unless the site is sold prior.

Were said a current resource consent, granted in 2022, enabled the creation of a mixed-use complex with 15 high-end one, two and three-bedroom apartments across four levels, and a basement carpark.

“The proposed apartments range in size from some 57 square metres to 260 square metres, with upper levels offering sweeping views over Waitematā Harbour.

“The consented development also includes four ground-floor retail units designed to capitalise on the extensive frontages to arterial Jervois Road and Redmond Street.

“Intensive Business – Town Centre zoning under the Auckland Unitary Plan permits activities ranging from the proposed apartments and shops to offices, commercial services, healthcare, residential care and community facilities. Buildings up to 13 metres high are permitted.

“Together these provisions give new owners a wealth of possibilities and mixed-use permutations to explore, at a significant scale,” said Were.

The property is currently home to vacant buildings of some 307 square metres, along with eight car parks. These are underpinned by a freehold title of some 847 square metres. A recent survey suggests a land area of approximately 851 square metres.

Zhang said the prime position in Ponsonby’s popular Three Lamps precinct was one of its key selling points.

“This is a vibrant city fringe hospitality and retail hub surrounded by a wealthy residential population. Auckland’s city centre and Wynyard Quarter are a short drive away via College Hill and major motorway interchanges are within easy reach.

“Over the past 15 years, the Ponsonby Road area has become increasingly desirable for retail and, in particular, for its burgeoning strip of restaurants and cafes – driven in part by the growing affluence of the surrounding catchment.

“The area continues to benefit from major developments such as the Ponsonby Central retail and eatery hub and the retail, office and residential complex at Vinegar Lane.

“The site now for sale offers buyers the chance to add further to this story with a new chapter at what has long been a key location within the Ponsonby community,” Zhang said.