Tauranga’s 10- level tower
Plans have been unveiled for a 10- level commercial and residential development that will tower over downtown Tauranga — and comprise two levels of retail space, five levels of office space, and three top levels of high- end apartments.
The property at 2 Devonport Rd ( previously the Westpac Building) is currently the headquarters of Tauranga City Council.
Under the planned $ 50 million redevelopment, the existing building would be demolished around February next year, with construction of the new 14,000sq m tower scheduled to begin in the middle of next year, and completed by early 2020.
Financial investment advisory firm Craigs Investment Partners will take naming rights on the property, which will be named Craigs Investment Partners House, and will occupy the top two floors of commercial space — levels six and seven.
Frank Aldridge, Craig’s managing director, says the firm is pleased to have found commercial space to accommodate its growing business that is in a prime position in the CBD. “The development of 2 Devonport Rd means we remain in the heart of the city and offer a new workspace for staff with exceptional views across the Tauranga Harbour,” Aldridge says.
The street level and first floor of the building will be configured into a mix of high- end retail and food and beverage tenancies while the middle three floors — levels three, four and five — will be to leased office tenants.
The top three floors — eight, nine and 10 — will house nine apartments of about 300sq m each, inclusive of balconies.
Bayleys Tauranga i s the leasing and sales agency for the retail and commercial premises, and the apartments.
Agency manager Dickie Burman says that the public release of the 2 Devonport Rd plans follows tenancy discussions that have been underway for some months with potential commercial, retail, and hospitality operators.
“Craigs House will be at the bowwave of reshaping downtown Tauranga — bringing together commercial activity, a retail focus, and innercity living,” Burman says.
“Wingate Architects has designed the building’s super- structure, but has left some ‘ wriggle room’ to individualise internal floor space according to the needs of potential tenants.”