Design builds popular at business park

A population shift to the west of Christchurch is reflected in the development of new commercial centres. Chris Hutching reports.

More businesses are looking to build or buy new industrial premises at the Waterloo Business Park on the western outskirts of Christchurch.

Waterloo’s assistant development manager, Joel Webber, said buying new or building gave business owners assurance that their premises would meet all compliance issues and were in line with changing trends.

Design build projects were popular with businesses that lacked the time or expertise to manage the project, he said.

They could give owners more cost certainty because variations and overruns were absorbed by the developer.

About 80 per cent of sections have been sold at the 114-hectare site, which was formerly the Islington Freezing Works and is bordered by Pound and Waterloo roads.

Buyers included Hamilton Jet, Connectics, Cardinal Freight, Harvey Norman, Hanham & Philp, Hagley Building Products, and Windsor Doors.

Waterloo has undertaken two food grade design builds, and several freight and logistics builds.

Webber said that while many business owners bought land parcels and built independently, others opted for design builds.

He said in the long run it can save money, and owners can also consider technology and size to future-proof the building.

Webber says common mistakes businesses make when embarking on their own builds include using the wrong materials, or choosing a solution that is so expensive they give up on the idea.

‘‘The developer can reduce costs, typically by rationalising or reducing the specification of the build,’’ Webber said.

Oliver Salt, an industrial broker with Colliers International, said there was improved roading in the area including the realignment of Waterloo Rd, the extension of Halswell Junction Rd and the improved Pound Rd-Main South Rd intersection.

The business park’s developer is Islington Park, which is owned by Auckland developer John Sax’s Southpark Corporation and Southland investor Stewart Transport.

Meanwhile, residential growth in the southwest of Christchurch is fuelling demand for retail and office space within Ngai Tahu Property’s Wigram Skies commercial precinct, The Landing.

There are now only three remaining retail tenancies available in the development – a 153-square-metre high-profile corner site, and a 90sqm and 100sqm unit.

A New World supermarket anchors The Landing, with medical centre Wigram Health located opposite.

Other tenants include Subway, Muffin Break, Unichem, Fush, hair salon Misola, Joe’s Garage, Hell Pizza, The Kingfisher Restaurant, and Mexicali Fresh.

The most recent to open include Good Home, SuRa Sushi and Smarty Pants, which sells children’s educative gifts.

A nail salon and Asian restaurant will open shortly.

Childcare provider Kindercare is operating nearby and a vet will soon be built onsite.

Colliers leasing agent Annabelle Bramwell said The Landing was now seeking nonfood retailers such as homeware stores, florists, banks or real estate agents to complete the mix.

A new new primary school will open in 2019, along with several future development sites in the area.