Kmart opening delayed two weeks
Kmart has delayed the opening of its Queenstown store by two weeks, following an investigation into construction problems.
A ‘‘notice to fix’’ was issued by the Queenstown Lakes District Council in late August after concerns were raised about the building – part of the $100 million retail development known as Queenstown Central, near Frankton.
A council spokesperson said Dominion Construction Ltd was required to remedy issues but declined to give any details.
On Friday, the council confirmed the company had complied with the notice and approval had been given for remedial work to start.
It was previously announced the store would open on Thursday, but Kmart country manager Jason Picard said on Friday it would now open on October 18.
Queenstown Central spokesman Simon Holloway said in an email that despite some weather hold ups with recent snow, works were progressing well on site.
Dominion Construction did not answer queries.
Queenstown is undergoing a boom in new retail stores with Spotlight opening its first store in the area on Wednesday, in the Remarkables Park Town Centre.
The Five Mile business and retail centre, which is across the road from Queenstown Central, is also planning to open a new building in early December.
The $30 million, five-storey building will add 5200sqm of floor area to the fully tenanted centre.
Tenants include law firm Mitchell Mackersy, Craigs Investment Partners, construction services company Project 360, Focus IT, Landmark Homes and building company Naylor Love.
Hospitality success story Joe’s Garage is expected to be a major drawcard for the centre when it opens on the ground floor.
Colloquially known as Joe’s, it started in the old post office garage in central Queenstown 15 years ago and now operates in 12 locations around New Zealand.
The development opened three years ago with The Warehouse and Countdown as anchor tenants. Developer Craig Greenwood, of Queenstown Gateway 5M Ltd, said attention was now turning to a consented 120-room hotel building at the entrance to Five Mile. There had been ‘‘strong interest’’ in the site from a number of hotel operators, he said. ‘‘At 16,000sqm gross floor area it will be the biggest single building at Five Mile and also the last major building to finish off the development.’’