North Auckland was once home to the iconic Waiwera Thermal Resort, these days it sits looking like the set of a horror film - but not for much longer.
In 2018 there was a glimmer of hope for the Waiwera Thermal Resort with the prospect of a "much-needed" upgrade, but the operators went into liquidation and the resort became unviable.
The 1.7-hectare resort is about to receive a facelift, with demolition at the site due to kick off on Monday.
Urban Partners are the current owners of the land, its chief executive Greig Staples said the resort holds a "special place" in the hearts and minds of many Aucklanders and visitors.
"Whether it was hanging with friends in the pools or hooning down the slides."
Staples said since the previous operators went into liquidation, it's been an "ongoing struggle to secure the site against vandalism, which has degraded the property further".
"It is now at the point where the existing structures offer no value to a buyer and it will be a positive for the wider community to remove what is left of the buildings."
Staples said demolition at Waiwera Thermal Resort is "bittersweet as it represents the end of an era but also the beginning of Waiwera’s revitalisation".
It comes as a spring campaign is expected to kick off to draw in a wide range of buyers.
Colliers director of Capital Markets Blair Peterken said Waiwera was the "birthplace of New Zealand’s first spa, alongside a grand hotel, bathhouses, and later, the thermal resort we all know today".
"It is recognised as a regional tourist attraction by the Auckland Unitary Plan and has zoning allowing for business, residential developments, health and wellness, tourism, hospitality and visitor accommodation."
