Hamilton’s time is now — growth sparks interest
Hamilton city is on the rise and, wait for it . . . is destined to become the next major business and commercial hub.
The city is experiencing one of the most transformational and aspirational upgrades it’s ever seen and one which has been 10 years in the making.
It involves a splurge of demolition, refurbishment and redevelopment projects on the way to get rid of the old and make way for the new.
It’s a growth period, Mike Neale, Managing director NAI for Harcourts said was a sign of evolution for the Waikato city with close to $200 million worth of construction activity underway in the CBD.
‘‘It did start 10 years ago, and it’s just been gaining momentum,’’ Neale said. ‘‘With refurbishment, now we’ve got new builds, new apartments, it’s just an evolution, I think, in the CBD.’’
While the impact of the pandemic saw many cities and townships stripped dry, Kirikiriroa, was no sitting duck and took advantage.
Hamilton city has 44 projects underway or completed that have seen the CBD area showing signs of optimism and possibility.
This includes 16 upgrades/redevelopments, 12 new builds or proposed redevelopments and 16 additional new builds.
Panama Square on the corner of Garden Place and Worley Place and the adjoining building, Panama Riverbanks on Victoria Street, for example, are a part of a trio of refurbished builds showing a portal into the future for Hamilton CBD. They are the brain child of Matt Stark and Stark property.
Their distinct properties are recognised for their industrial interior design, sustainable architecture and vibrant co-working spaces.
Neale said beyond a decade ago, Hamilton was in a dire phase when the CBD was over-stocked with vacant and earthquake prone buildings as well as water tightness issues.
‘‘What we’ve had is some really passionate people throughout Hamilton and particularly the CBD who said ‘look I want to make a difference’,’’ he said.
‘‘A number of the developers said ‘we want to fix it, so when we take our children past in 20 years time, we can proudly say, we did that.’’
Vanessa Williams from
Hamilton Central Business Association said there is a real market to make Hamilton a place where the city centre offers the full package from work to retail to hospitality and accommodation.
She said there’s been significant investment in development which should give people confidence.
‘‘I definitely think there’s a big drawcard there, I think commercially we offer a great business environment, and we have been building towards that over the last five to ten years,’’ Williams said.
Figures for the first six months of 2022 from the Association indicate business ranks have swelled by around 30 in the CBD.
That includes new startups, expansion of existing businesses and people moving into Hamilton from elsewhere.
Williams told Stuff earlier this month that 30 new businesses in the CBD at this stage of the city’s recovery from the worst of Covid-19 was encouraging.
‘‘A lot of what we want to do is just to reinforce that Hamilton is continuing this journey of development, it’s been happening for years, the pandemic brought a lot of things to a holt, but actually it didn’t grind Hamilton city to a holt.’’
Neal said Hamilton was now becoming a place for business, new ideas and commercial growth and that it was not just ‘‘pigeonholed’’ to one generation or group.
‘‘I think we’ve seen development that will reflect really well in the future,’’ said Neal.
‘‘I think it’s become more aspirational and aspiration is really key.