What’s happening in Newmarket and environs? Twelve sites examined

New buildings are planned, have opened, are being fixed for weathertightness issues, and some retail operations have changed hands.

Mark Knoff-Thomas is optimistic about the area’s future.

Newmarket Business Association chief executive Mark Knoff-Thomas said many sites were either planned to be developed or work was underway.

“I’m very optimistic about the direction of Newmarket. Investment into developments is pouring in, and the leasing side is remarkably bullish, all things considered geopolitically.”

He cited new operations, including the new $13 million Garage Club luxury car storage business and the Urban Fairway golf simulator indoor golf studio, as signs of progress.

Here, we look at 12 properties and projects across Newmarket and its neighbouring precincts of Remuera and Parnell that help explain what’s happening.

1. McDonald’s

McDonald’s opened this new outlet on Broadway, Newmarket, in May. Photo / Anne Gibson

450-480 Broadway

Opened a newly built store beneath the motorway overpass with parking and drive-through.

Full-service restaurant operated by the head office, including a playground and drive-through.

Opened May 12 this year.

This is the first McDonald’s in Newmarket since Westfield 277 closed in 2017. Photo / Anne Gibson

“It’s the first iteration of McDonald’s back in Newmarket since Westfield 277 closed in 2017,“ says Knoff-Thomas.

Broadway once had three McDonald’s, he noted.

2. University Newmarket campus

314-390 Khyber Pass Rd

The 5.2ha site was previously owned and occupied by Lion Breweries.

In 2013, the University of Auckland bought it to develop as a long-term mixed-use campus.

The site is a developing innovation precinct embracing engineering, science and health technologies.

It has large-scale engineering and science research and more than 20 start-up and growth companies, the uni says.

Apartment and hospital developers have expressed interest in negotiating to buy or lease some of that site, much of it empty, but the owner is not interested.

Simon Neale outside Hiwa, the University of Auckland’s recreation centre, last year. Photo / Dean Purcell

University property chief Simon Neale says: “There are no plans to sell off parts of the Newmarket campus.”

The Grafton site is near the Auckland City Hospital and the Auckland Domain so has huge potential, as yet largely untapped.

3. Chemist Warehouse

219-225 Broadway

Chemist Warehouse trades from the former Smith & Caughey’s site on Broadway.

Chemist Warehouse now trades from what was Smith & Caughey’s two-level department store on Broadway.

That retailer has shown considerable confidence in Newmarket.

Knoff-Thomas said: “They expanded their retail footprint in Newmarket by purchasing the ex-Smith & Caughey’s site and began trading there before Christmas. They have maintained a large-format store in Westfield Newmarket as well.”

4. Farro Fresh

480 Broadway

Gourmet grocer Farro is to open its eighth supermarket in Auckland, with a new store planned in Newmarket late this year.

A new boutique grocery outlet is planned to open beside the new McDonald’s, in the existing ex-Liquorland building now being refurbished.

Farro chief executive Garth Sutherland said in February that the gourmet grocer was due to open later this year.

The retailer will have 70 car parks.

As with other Farro supermarkets, the store will include an in-house fishmonger and butcher, with sustainably caught seafood and New Zealand free-farmed meats.

Farro Fresh on Dominion Rd in Auckland.

Goods from more than 500 New Zealand and overseas artisan suppliers will be sold, including homegrown makers and restaurateurs such as Daily Bread, House of Chocolate, Cassia and Gemmayze Street.

5. Ex-Noel Leeming, Broadway

The current Warehouse and Noel Leeming site at 66-68 Broadway.

80 Broadway

Noel Leeming now trades from inside the huge mall, on level three of Westfield Newmarket.

Knoff-Thomas noted its old site across from The Warehouse is vacant, opposite the pools.

A new retailer may soon be announced to take the ground floor, he said.

6. Allevia Health Remuera, Urology Institute

75 Remuera Rd

Plans for 75 Remuera Rd, Auckland. Image / Mansons TCLM

New $90m Allevia Health Remuera and Urology Institute building, being built by Mansons TCLM.

“This is positioned in the heart of Newmarket’s established medical mile,” Knoff-Thomas said.

It is expected to create further opportunities for collaboration, specialist clustering, and improved patient experiences.

Manson said on June 24 that 75 Remuera Rd was due for completion around the middle of next year.

Plans for the new building at 75 Remuera Rd in Auckland. Photo / Mansons TCLM

It had been popular due to its location, quality and services.

Only one floor remains available to lease.

It has basement parking and six levels of commercial space.

End-of-trip facilities, retail space, storage and the commercial floors are around 1140sq m.

7. The Foundation retirement village

8 George St

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (left) at The Foundation, developed and owned by Generus Group, headed by Graham Wilkinson (right). Photo / Alex Burton

Generus Living Group’s leasehold development is on the Blind Low Vision NZ site.

This property is more towards Parnell than Newmarket.

Blind Low Vision was previously called the Royal Foundation for the Blind, hence the new homes’ name.

Kalmar Construction is nearing completion of a new block.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon with Graham Wilkinson of Generus Living Group, alongside Wendy Petrie at the opening of The Foundation in Parnell. Photo / Alex Burton

In March 2024, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon opened the first stage.

Luxon praised Generus director and founder Graham Wilkinson, saying he had contributed significantly by forming a successful joint venture with the landowner.

Together, they formed Foundation Properties, which developed Nathan Residences, the first of four planned buildings within the village.

Christopher Luxon arrives at The Foundation in 2024. Photo / Alex Burton

Pearson House on Titoki St is in a brick Georgian revival structure.

Abbot Residences on Maunsell Rd is the new five-level block that Kalmar is now completing.

8. St Marks apartments

10 St Marks Rd

Developed by former breast surgeon John Harman, the building is not in Newmarket’s town centre but is situated more towards Remuera

St Marks apartments are being fixed for building defects. Photo / Dean Purcell

The $120m, six-level award-winning block is being fixed after water penetrated layers in the roof above its top floors and the roof of a lower-level podium.

Builder Dominion’s Brett Russell said the roof membrane had failed, so discussions were being held about why that happened and over warranties.

Russell expressed satisfaction with the outcome of repairs.

John Harman developed the St Marks apartments. Photo / Dean Purcell

9. Domain Collection

81 Carlton Gore Rd

The Domain Collective, Newmarket. Photo / Colliers Professional Services

An existing commercial building has been converted into 65 apartments by Precinct Properties in a joint venture with Lamont & Co.

Units have been advertised from $1.16m.

GN Construction was the builder. The architects were Warren & Mahoney.

Precint Properties’ CEO Scott Pritchard announced the apartment push, including into Newmarket. Photo / Michael Craig

The five-level block is unusual because it has a commanding position opposite the Auckland Domain.

Colliers says it is setting a new benchmark for luxury living in one of the city’s most sought-after locations.

10. 47 George St

Mansons TCLM has a site on George St which it intends to develop in the longer term, now used for car parking.

Culum Manson said a few weeks ago: “George St is consented for 20,000sq m of office which we may begin in the new year.”

Telco 2degrees was on this site, but the buildings there were demolished.

FORMiS has designed plans for the site.

Mercury Energy’s Broadway building by Mansons TCLM.

Mansons TCLM also developed the award-winning Mercury Energy building on Broadway and the Aurecon building on Carlton Gore Rd nearby.

11. Rialto Centre

167-169 Broadway

The entrance to Rialto cinema complex within 153-185 Broadway, Newmarket.

Many retail outlets beside and below this multiplex cinema operation are empty and have been for some years.

Dallas Prendergrast of Ladstone Properties said: “The Rialto shops were all strata titled by us around 15 years ago and sold off, so as far as we are aware they are all still owned by individual investors.”

In February, she told of plans to sell the Glenfield Mall.

12. Old police station to hotel

Diane Foreman and Paul Henry preparing to launch Foreman’s new boutique hotel in the former police station. Photo / Herald composite

Diane Foreman and Paul Henry have transformed the old Newmarket Police Station into a boutique luxury hotel.

The police moved their operation to Teed St in 2021.

The repurposed cells at the former Newmarket police station.

The old station went up for sale in 2023.

Along with the brick building, the business also includes an 1880s-built sergeant’s house and the original cell block.

A grand opening as The Newmarket Central Boutique Hotel is planned for August 1.

Ex cop-shop in Newmarket, now luxury hotel.

“I believe being on the ‘medical mile’ and almost opposite the new Allevia medical building, plus within a short distance of almost all the private hospitals, will make the hotel a perfect place for either step-down care or visiting relatives and friends,” Foreman told Ricardo Sumich.

Anne Gibson has been the Herald’s property editor for 26 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.

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