Kirk’s vision closer to fruition after quakes
Carter Group’s latest development at Rolleston, south of Christchurch, will be a convenience retail centre near the company’s Iport freight depot development.
Rolleston was a sleepy dormi- tory town in the 1970s with just 1000 residents when then Labour Prime Minister Norman Kirk thought it could become another state-built satellite town of 50,000 to 80,000, like Porirua or Otara.
Kirk’s vision for the town faded until the 2011 earthquakes when thousands of Christchurch residents fled west to escape low-lying parts of the city.
Now residents number about 15,000, which is forecast to rise to nearly 20,000 in 10 years.
The area has also become a focus of two rival ‘‘inland ports’’ or rail sidings – with some of the land developed by Carter Group sold to Lyttelton Port. (The other freight hub is owned jointly by the Tauranga and Timaru ports.)
Carter Group has continued to develop its remaining Iport land and the retail centre is the latest market offering. Named IRetail, it will be constructed on an 11,000-square-metre greenfield site on the northern side of State Highway 1.
Resource consent has been granted and construction is expected to begin this year.
Up to 12 tenancies are available, offering views of the highway.
Rolleston was one of the fastestgrowing towns in New Zealand, Savills leasing manager Ryan Geddes said.
‘‘We’re expecting this profile to be a major drawcard for retailers, with the centre well positioned to capture business from passing motorists as well as the fastgrowing local population.’’
The 3000sqm development, designed by Christchurch-based Wilson & Hill Architects, will feature a long main building housing up to 11 tenancies from 50sqm in size upwards. A second, standalone building will be offered to drive-through food operators. A third standalone building is earmarked for a cafe or bar.
More than 160 car parks will be provided in front of the units.