Warkworth childcare investment for sale

A new purpose-built childcare centre with a long-term tenant has come into play for commercial property investors in the heart of fast-growing Warkworth.

Fifteen-year lease to established childcare operator

The Alnwick Street property now for sale through Bayleys Real Estate is the only early childhood education facility in the town centre. It will be occupied by established operator Muddy Toes Early Learning Centre on a 15-year lease from February 2027, with a further 10-year right of renewal.

Projected net rental return of $312,000 per annum

New owners will earn a projected net rental return of $312,000 plus outgoings and GST per annum.

Muddy Toes has built a reputation among local families as the operator of two early learning centres in the Warkworth area, with a special ‘forest philosophy’ encouraging nature-inspired adventures and muddy play.

The new facility in the North Auckland town benefits from prominent corner profile, busy pedestrian activity, and convenient public parking along Alnwick and Percy Streets.

Warkworth property offered by deadline private treaty

The freehold land and buildings at 4-6 Alnwick Street, Warkworth, are being offered to buyers by deadline private treaty closing on Thursday 3 December (unless sold prior).

The sale is being marketed by Chris Blair and Dahnie Burton of Bayleys Warkworth, as sole agents.

Long lease supports passive investment appeal

Blair says buyers will eye the site as a quality passive investment, with the long lease providing an attractive, low-maintenance commercial proposition.

“With no competing childcare centres in the town centre, this property is well positioned to benefit from demand driven by rapid population growth across the Warkworth–Mahurangi area. This offers investors the prospect of long-term, stable rental income.

“Investments in childcare come with the added assurance that a good proportion of the tenant’s revenue is government-funded,” says Blair.

Purpose-built facility on Town Centre-zoned land

The Alnwick Street facility’s two buildings span a combined 540 square metres (more or less), underpinned by some 1,372 square metres of Town Centre-zoned land.

“Designed for contemporary early childhood education, the centre features efficient internal layouts, modern facilities, excellent natural light, and a generous 250-square-metre outdoor playground,” Blair says.

The brand-new, purpose-designed buildings include separate areas for babies and toddlers, with sleeping, changing room and play spaces, laundry, staff room and kitchen facilities, and a manager’s office, complemented by outdoor play areas including covered space and a raised vegetable garden.

Family drop offs and pick ups are supported by convenient public parking at both street frontages.

Central Warkworth location near key amenities

The town centre location places the centre handy to vital amenities, including New World and Woolworths supermarkets, medical centres, boutiques, banks, schools and services.

Population growth supports childcare demand

Burton says local childcare demand is strong in a catchment that is seeing remarkable growth.

“Identified by Auckland city planners as a northern satellite hub, the Warkworth-Mahurangi area is seeing an influx of residents, supported by ongoing residential development,” she says.

Warkworth’s population swelled by more than 55 percent, to 6,675 in the decade to the 2023 census. It is projected to scale up dramatically to 25,000 residents in coming years, with large tracts of surrounding rural land re-zoned with a view to accommodating thousands of new homes.

Burton says residential and commercial growth is further boosted by improved access via the Pūhoi-to-Warkworth motorway extension, bringing Warkworth within around 45 minutes’ drive of central Auckland.

“As more families seek a satellite-town lifestyle within easy reach of greater Auckland, these trends support growing demand for childcare services in Warkworth for years to come,” Burton says.