Blackburn mixed-use freehold tipped to attract owner-occupiers and value-add buyers

A tightly held mixed-use freehold in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs is set to test investor and owner-occupier appetite, with 93 Whitehorse Road, Blackburn being brought to market offering retail exposure, residential accommodation and future repositioning potential. 

Positioned just 300 metres* from Blackburn railway station within the suburb’s established retail and lifestyle precinct, the property comprises a two-level building across a 165 sqm* Commercial 1 Zoned (C1Z) site. 

The asset includes ground-floor retail or commercial space with upstairs residential accommodation, together with valuable rear laneway access and on-site parking, creating flexibility for owner-occupiers, investors and future dual-tenancy outcomes. 

The 224 sqm* building is suited to a range of uses including retail, office, hospitality, medical and allied health, as buyer demand continues to grow for adaptable mixed-use assets within tightly held suburban retail strips. 

For sale through Valerie Tang and Jack Cooper of Cushman & Wakefield, the campaign comes amid increasing interest in smaller-scale freeholds across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, particularly properties offering a blend of income, owner-occupier appeal and long-term value-add potential. 

Valerie Tang of Cushman & Wakefield said the property was expected to attract broad interest from private buyers seeking flexibility and long-term upside. 
“We’re continuing to see strong demand from owner-occupiers and private investors targeting well-located suburban freeholds that offer flexibility across retail, commercial and residential uses. 

“Assets of this scale are increasingly difficult to secure, particularly those with rear access, on-site parking and the ability to reposition or occupy in future” she said. 
The property also benefits from strong passing traffic exposure along Whitehorse Road and sits moments from Blackburn’s Railway Road retail precinct, surrounded by cafés, local businesses and established residential catchments. 

Jack Cooper of Cushman & Wakefield said the rare shop-and-dwelling configuration is ideal for owner-occupiers seeking the convenience of operating a business while living onsite, allowing buyers to fully capitalise on the flexibility and functionality of the asset. 
“What makes this property particularly appealing is the flexibility it provides across multiple buyer profiles, whether that’s an owner-occupier looking to combine business and residential use, or an investor seeking future rental upside. 

“The combination of location, zoning and rear access creates genuine long-term optionality in one of Melbourne’s most tightly held eastern suburban retail strips” he said. 
The property is being offered for sale via Public Auction onsite on Thursday, 25 June at 12pm through Cushman & Wakefield.