By Jeff Hampton
Part of the Five Mile Project near Queenstown Airport looks likely to become a business park.
Once owned by Christchurch property developer Dave Henderson, the land was originally going to have retail shops and house more than 10,000 people.
Now it has been sold by Allied Farmers for $23 million.
The 23 hectare block of land was meant to be Stage 2 of the ill-fated Five Mile development.
Allied Farmers managing director Rob Alloway said, “when the buyer and seller are happy, then the deal is usually about right”.
Locals suggest the buyer is Wellington-based Tawera Group, which is moving into developing outer-city business parks – but that company wouldn’t comment.
The sale is another blow for the crumbling Henderson property empire.
Recently Allied Farmers ordered receivers to seize Henderson’s prized Mig Jet, which was stored in a central Christchurch yard.
“I think it’s quite ironic that I get to cart one of Dave Henderson’s toys,” says truck driver Grant Durham.
“I lost my toy, a truck, working for a major construction firm at the Five Mile Project, so when that went belly up I went belly up. I lose a toy, Dave loses a toy.”
Further property seizures from Henderson are imminent.
Confirmation that the former Henderson property near Queenstown Airport has been sold is good news for the area, at least that eyesore is now likely to be tidied up.
3 News