DUTTON Wholesale, a division of Dutton Automotive, has become the first tenant in an industrial development within Essendon Fields.

It is the second location for Dutton Automotive after establishing Dutton One in a freeway-facing site in the nearby Essendon Fields Auto estate.

Dutton Wholesale is in Hart Precinct Final that has released stage-one serviced lots for design, build and lease in lots from 3800 sqm to 35,000 sqm. The Dutton division is one of Australia’s biggest national wholesalers of general pre-owned, prestige and luxury vehicles. It will use the facility to store and deliver cars to its national dealer network. 

Its site at 1 Challenger Court is a high-profile corner location and occupies a 9879 sqm that includes a 5134 sqm warehouse, 503 sqm office, hardstand area and onsite carparking. 

The project was designed by Watson Young and built by FDC Construction, with project management by TMX Transform. 

Brendan Pihan

Dutton Wholesale joins Modscape in a recently-completed 20,000 sqm facility in the neighbouring site, with another 10,600 sqm facility for Autex Acoustics underway. In total, Stage 1 of the Hart Precinct covers more than 13 hectares, and is now more than 50 per cent leased. Essendon Fields CEO Brendan Pihan said the transaction with Dutton Wholesale was completed prior to the building’s practical completion “which highlights continuing demand for high quality industrial facilities at Essendon Fields.”

He said the Hart Precinct at Essendon Fields was the only large-scale industrial greenfield site within 15 minutes of the CBD and the Port of Melbourne. 

“Occupiers seeking to upgrade or consolidate their property footprint into one centralised location are taking advantage of our excellent connectivity and great surrounding amenity,’’ said Mr Pihan.

Dutton Automotive said the location for Dutton Wholesale was ideal to serve Melbourne’s fast growing north-west suburbs and because of its proximity to Melbourne’s major freeway network, also the perfect distribution hub to service the rest of Australia.

Dutton Automotive chief executive officer Matt Hanson said: “This new facility at Essendon Fields perfectly suits our needs as we continue to rapidly expand our sales and dealership network across the country, which is already the largest in Australia.”

“This facility will allow the Dutton business to continue to act and acquire quality stock quickly, offer  competitive pricing, and take immediate delivery of vehicles.’’ 

Dutton Automotive were represented in the leasing transaction by Tony Tripodi, director at CBRE  Advisory & Transactions Services – Industrial & Logistics, and selected Essendon Fields following  a comprehensive review of various locations across the Victoria West and North markets.