The elevated property comprises a 1,857 square metre site down a private driveway and borders the open parkland space of Ōwairaka/Mount Albert Domain.

The property is big enough to sustain a singular palatial residence but is being sold with resource consent in place for subdivision into two separate sections, for those looking at maximising the available development opportunity it offers or if two families look to band together to build their dream homes.

The grassed section at 24 Summit Drive in Mount Albert is being marketed for sale by tender through Bayleys Ponsonby, with the tender closing on 29th November. Salespeople Jock Kooger and Pawel Smuga said undeveloped properties of this size and scale, and with a city-facing northerly aspect, are extremely rare in the Mount Albert area.

“As one of Auckland’s oldest suburbs dating back to the 1800s, Mount Albert was a residential locale favoured by prosperous businessmen and the ‘well to do’ class during Auckland City’s formative years - due to its close proximity to the CBD, and the ease of access for horse and carriage transport before the days of the trams,” said Jock Kooger.

Pawel Smuga said the Summit Drive site and its immediate surrounding neighbourhood had a fascinating colourful history involving a well-known early-Auckland businessman with philanthropic values, and a brave New Zealand soldier.

“The property for sale at 24 Summit Drive is part of what was previously a large landholding owned by early 20th century businessman Harvey Turner who founded the fruit and vegetable wholesale company, Turners & Growers, and went on to establish the commercialisation of kiwifruit growing in New Zealand,” said Smuga.

“Cattle were grazed on the mountain until the early 2000s – until the livestock and their supporting infrastructure, including pens and loading races, were removed and the park space left to revert to nature. Today it is a popular place for dog and recreational walkers, as well as family picnics and activities.”

In addition to the walking tracks and glades of mature trees within Ōwairaka/Mount Albert Domain are two large community recreational facilities – the Mountain Green Archery Club, and the Mount Albert Domain Football Field. The Archery Club are particularly fond of the site because the surrounding volcanic crater rim and mature tree lines block out wind disruption.

Alongside Mount Albert properties having generous land sizes for a traditionally bungalow heavy suburb, the ASB Bank has recently donated a significant holding of over eight hectares of farmland, which was being leased to Mount Albert Grammar School, back to the school.

This generous gift guarantees the future of the MAGS Farm as an agricultural educational facility for generations to come.

The prestigious site at 24 Summit Drive is served by a number of highly sought after schools, including Mount Albert Grammar School, Marist College, Gladstone Primary School and Marist Primary School, which are all within easy walking distance. Also within close proximity are the Mount Albert Aquatic Centre, Unitec Institute of Technology, the Mount Albert shops and Westfield St Lukes Mall.

Jock Kooger said, “Because this offering is so unique with such a large land holding bordering the mountain reserve itself, we are expecting to see those looking to build an expansive luxury home, or those looking to build two generous sized homes to serve family or friends.”

Click here for more information on the listing.