The Hub of Waiyavi
The suburb of Waiyavi in Lautoka will soon have its own $12 million shopping complex, named ‘The Hub’.
Construction is already one-third complete on the 4.25 acres of land at the corner of Sukanaivalu Road and Dravuni Street.
The three-storey building belongs to the Nath family of Simla in Lautoka and the location was chosen to give the people of Waiyavi something to be proud of. Managing director of Pacifique du Sud, Rajendra Nath, said the project was working hand in hand, with one where he will set up a location to build a Saturday market place. There unemployed people will have an opportunity to sell vegetables and root crops.
“I also plan to have a fish and chips outlet, but operating from a bure type building which will be unique and one of its kind in Fiji,” Mr Nath said.
“The land was acquired in 1995 by the family and we spent around $1.2 million and this was for the footpath alongside the road, the drains and the alignment of the creek.”
Mr Nath said his family has been blessed with good weather since the construction started. The contractors are on schedule since beginning six months ago.
“We hope to have everything ready for opening by around April next year.” The initial investment was $10 million for the first building and a further $2 million for the second building.
“This complex will have one of the biggest parking spaces and people from around here and other suburbs can come and find almost everything they have in town. “This includes a pharmacy, bakery, tailor’s, shoe shop, supermarket, offices, hardware outlet and many other businesses that could be found in town.”
The top floor will have 20 offices, the second floor will have the supermarket and 10 retail shops while the ground floor will have a further 10 retail outlets. There will also be a bulk room in the building. He also has plans to construct the best water slide near the complex.
“The construction of The Hub will also raise the value of properties in the area,” Mr Nath said. Mr Nath said they have already signed a couple of tenants onboard and the interest was huge considering the number of people enquiring.
Meanwhile Krishn Naidu, real estate agent for Harcourts said the rental prices varies from size to size of the space of each outlet. “Rent is in the range from $2500 to $3500 while the supermarket is $30,000 per month.”
“I have been receiving a lot of calls,” Mr Naidu said. Anyone interested can call Mr Naidu on 8043803. The Nath family were the initial owners of Topline service station at Natokowaqa in 1981 and sold the business in 1987.
Mr Nath left for Canada in 1987 and returned in 1991 to set up an engineering workshop at Waiyavi, Lautoka.