Prime Swansea Opening

Newcastle Herald

Saturday August 30, 2008

By SARAH-KATE SCICLUNA

MAY'S collapse of home builder Beechwood Homes has meant its former North Coast headquarters at Swansea is for sale or lease through Knight Frank Newcastle's Matthew McNamara.

On the western side of the Pacific Highway next to McDonalds, it is 2049 square metres, zoned 3(1) urban core, with a 26-metre frontage. It is being sold by Sydney investment group Redab Pty Limited, who bought it from Led Pty Ltd for $2.6455 million prior to its March 2006 auction.

The nine-year-old 1582-square metre building has a foyer, open-plan office area, kitchenette and amenities on the ground floor, with more office space, a board room, lunch room and tiled outdoor terrace on the first floor.

Occupied by Beechwood since the mid-1990s, it also has an undercover secured storage and parking area.

Available with vacant possession, it is for sale for $3.15 million or lease for $255,000 a year.

BP disused sites

FUEL company BP is selling two disused sites at Charlestown and Shortland through Ray White Commercial Newcastle's John Parnham and Newtons's Adam Mowat.

93 Pacific Highway, Charlestown, next to the Charlestown Financial Centre redevelopment (the former RTA building), sits on 2432 square metres of land zoned urban core and has a 58.37-metre highway frontage.

Mr Parnham said it was a prime redevelopment site because of its highway position and proximity to Charlestown Square.

He said it would suit a multi-level mixed-use development.

300 Sandgate Road, Shortland, sits on 1907 square metres of residential zoned land and has a 43.62-metre frontage.

On the western side of Shortland Road, it could appeal to developers or owner-occupiers such as existing petrol retailers, Mr Parnham said.

He said BP would remediate both sites prior to settlement.

Mr Parnham would not be drawn on price. The Charlestown site goes to auction on September 25 and expressions of interest for Shortland close the next day.

Red Cross calling

A MOVE to the Master Builders Association's Broadmeadow building means the former Australian Red Cross headquarters and training centre in Newcastle will be auctioned in October.

Listed through Jones Lang LaSalle's John McGrath, the 1960s-built 245 King Street has a net lettable area of 427 square metres over two levels, including parking for three cars.

The ground floor has administrative offices and a kitchen, and the upper level has amenities, a large training room and additional kitchen.

Mr McGrath said the site would be offered with vacant possession and the Red Cross would move to its site before October.

He expected it to suit owner-occupiers such as administrative offices or a business needing a showroom and office space.

Mr McGrath expects bidding above $600,000 on October 3.

Civic refurbishment

THE top floor of a refurbished building on the corner of King and Darby streets, Newcastle, is for lease through Raine and Horne Newcastle Commercial's Alistair Robertson.

Formerly occupied by a bicycle retailer and opposite MJ Finnegans, 31 Darby Street's ground floor is let to Credit Union Australia on a 10-year lease.

Across from Civic Park and owned by Sydney development company Ballen Pty Ltd, who bought it for $1.9 million in May 2006, it has a net lettable area of 870 square metres.

The 597-square metre top floor has exposed timber supports, a vaulted ceiling, atrium, kitchenette and garaging for five cars.

Mr Robertson expects the building's top floor to appeal as office accommodation for around $350 a square metre.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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