Frankton

10 Aug 2023 The Lodge Real Estate Team

Frankton is one of Hamilton’s oldest suburbs and features many character cottages as well as new townhouses. A variety of shops are available, including Frankton’s open-air mall and markets. Notable Hamilton businesses, such as Gallaghers and Woolrest, had their beginnings here.

History

Separated by land full of manuka and gorse, Frankton wasn’t always just another suburb of Hamilton. Major Jackson Keddell of the 4th Waikato Militia was granted 300 acres in what became the Waipa County. In 1867 he sold the land to Thomas and Mary Holly for farmland. They named the area Frankton after their son Frank.

When the railways department was planning the route from Auckland to Wellington, the Jollys offered them access through the farm. The first train arrived from Auckland on 17 December 1877 and was met by a crowd of around 300 people at the station in Frankton. Later that day subdivisions of land were put up for sale near the new railway line. The land was peaty and low-lying which meant it required draining. Sections were sold cheaply and most commonly to wage earners and labourers.

Key attractions and notable landmarks

Frankton borders Hamilton Lake, is home to the Gallagher Hockey Centre, and Hamilton's very own "Greasy Mile" AKA Greenwood Street, which famously contains every major fast-food chain in about a 500m stretch. 

Real Estate and Design

Beginning life as a major railway hub, Frankton still features many of the original railway houses, with the Frankton Railway Village even being a proposed Historic Heritage Area. Townhouses also feature heavily along Frankton's main thoroughfares, everything from classic 70's style cinder block units to contemporary new builds.

Shopping and amenities

Commerce Street in Frankton is one of Hamilton's original shopping precincts, and is home of another Hamilton landmark, Forlongs Furniture. There's a great street market held there every Saturday morning.

Local medical centres:

Commerce Street and the surrounding area has plenty of small cafe's, bakeries and takeaway joints. The original Good George brewery is also close by. The Lost Boys Cafe located by the railway in the industrial area is a funky little spot with great coffee and food.

Then, of course, there's the Greasy Mile for all your fast food needs!

Sports and Fitness

Swarbrick Park is a large fielded area and home to the Frankton Rugby Sports Club. The Gallagher Hockey Centre is home to the Waikato Hockey Association, and nearby Innes Common on the lake has open air fitness equipment and parkour park. Kahikatea Park also hosts two sports fields and play equipment.

Local sports clubs include:

Schools and Education

Local schools*:

*Many schools have zoning policies, please check the geographical boundaries of a preferred school with a Lodge salesperson.

Distance from CBD

Frankton is around 4km from the CBD.

If you’re bussing, the Route 3 bus runs from the CBD transport centre to Dinsdale, stopping at Frankton on the way past. The Route 8 bus passes through the Frankton shops and Rifle Range Road.

The Route 9 bus runs from the CBD transport centre to The Base via the northern end of Frankton.

A taxi fare into the CBD will cost around $20.

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