The dominant real estate agency north of Auckland has further strengthened its Far North client service offering with the expansion of its sales, leasing and business team to cater to the important markets of Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, Kaikohe and Kaitāia.
Bayleys in the North commercial and industrial director, Ben Clare says the appointments of husband and wife duo Gary and Lesley Lucas, operating out of the Kerikeri office, boosts the firm’s commercial capability and will help put the Far North team in a strong position to navigate the next real estate cycle.
“Gary and Lesley bring really valuable business and tourism experience and insight to our wider team, and already have some impressive runs on the board.
“Recent business sales include the Sandpit Poolroom and Bar in Paihia, and the Onerahi Garage auto repair business near Whangārei.
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"They also facilitated the sale of a bar that has been converted to a fitness facility, and helped an expat Kiwi returning to live in New Zealand source a new business.” says Clare.
“Gary and Lesley will be focusing on business sales, promoting opportunities that support the region’s resident population and the visitor economy, along with investment sales and leases across commercial accommodation, cafes and restaurants, warehousing, offices and retail space.”
Gary Lucas has broad experience as a business broker. He has established and developed businesses of his own, is a landlord, and comes from an earlier UK hotel and property management background.
Lesley has more than three decades of experience in business, hospitality, and event management across New Zealand and the UK, and is chairperson of the Bay of Islands Business Association which gives her strategic connections across the tourism and business sectors.
Clare says Gary and Lesley take a down-to-earth and practical approach to real estate, leveraging broad insights to the day-to-day world of occupiers, landlords and vendors.
“They’re both fantastic advocates for the Far North way of life and what it can offer to business operators, commercial property investors, and owner-occupiers.
“Among a number of compelling listings they’re currently marketing, the Lucases have three standout offerings which demonstrate the impact they’re having in the market.
“There’s a business and development opportunity in the Far North’s historic The Old Packhouse Market in Kerikeri, a high-profile tenanted investment in Paihia, Bay of Islands with associated wharf infrastructure, and further north, a modern tenanted commercial office investment with a government lease in Kaitāia.”
As with a number of other areas around New Zealand, tourism in the Far North was muted post-pandemic but is rebounding, and as the next real estate cycle plays out, Clare expects revitalised interest in commercial property assets and businesses across the region.
“The Far North is an under-estimated region for commercial investment and the yields get better the further north of Auckland you go.
“The Bay of Islands is a popular stop for cruise ships and this brings new eyes and tourist spend to the area.
"Domestic tourism is also returning with the motorway extension projects out of Auckland streamlining the earlier part of the journey north, and Air New Zealand and Barrier Air operating commercial flights into Kerikeri which makes the Far North even more accessible.
“Bayleys in the North also has property management capability which is an important consideration for those out-of-town owners looking for a hands-off commercial investment.”
- Supplied by Bayleys
