This is particularly so in highly-desired Mt Eden, where such properties are "snaffled" by investors, or owner-occupiers, determined to stay put.
But exceptions can still arise.
Case in point: 1A Porters Ave, Eden Terrace, an old high-stud dairy storage facility which has now been placed on the market for sale.
This substantial building is being sold by Barfoot and Thompson commercial sales agents Murray Thompson and Cam Paterson and tenders will close on Wednesday, July 27, unless sold earlier by negotiation.
The concrete structure was built in the late 1960s for the former NZ Co-operative Dairy Company. It’s one of a cluster of four such buildings remaining on the site, which were designed to pack dairy produce for pre-EU Britain. Today the building is owned by a high-profile provider of exhibition and trade display services, Peek Display Corporation Ltd, yet few people seem to be aware that it exists.
Location
"Yes, it’s big — boasting a respectable 2760m² of letting area, on a generous land holding of 3371m², with 28 car parks — but it is also effectively hidden from view," Paterson points out. "You won’t necessarily know it, even if you live in Mt Eden, because it's located on 'an island'.
"It’s a rear site, bounded by roads to the north, east and west and a railway to the south; you could drive past yet never realise it’s there."
However, as it is located in central Eden Terrace, the building is highly accessible to all parts of the city, he adds.
"Today properties on the city fringe are generally small-to-medium sized structures, generally businesses, character buildings or apartments.
"So it’s surprising to find one dating back 46 years, with roots in larger-scale industrial manufacture and distribution."
Complete with a rail siding, it was a purpose-built as a manufacturing facility, truly an example of how buildings used to be constructed, says Paterson.
The Dairy Co-op ceased activities in the mid-1980s, the entire site was sold off and Peek Display Corporation moved in.
Adjustments were made to the building at the time and further additions around the mid 1990's.