Richmond plans new business hub to meet locals’ growing demand
The planning process is well under way for more than 100 new mixed business units in Richmond, just south of Nelson, an area which is seeing significant residential development and commercial growth.
The business unit development, The Cube on Queen, is to be constructed at 431 Lower Queen St on a site with Mixed Business zoning, giving it wide appeal to small business operators, start-ups, logistics providers, tradespeople, online retailers and local residents looking for storage space.
The smartly-designed, freehold unit-titled complex is being undertaken by local developer Collett Group, which has been active and successful in the residential market for more than 25 years.
Building work will be done by Coman Construction, another established local firm that has played a proactive role in the property development sector in the Nelson-Tasman region since 1987.
Paul Vining and Dennis Christian of Bayleys Nelson are selling the 45-146sq m units from the plans with buyers needing a 10 per cent deposit and prices starting at an entry-level $315,500 plus GST, if applicable.
Vining said post-Covid there’s increased demand for business premises for smaller operators and these first-release units – expected to be completed late 2022 – will add much-needed inventory to a tightlysqueezed property market.
“The developers recognised the need for an accessibly-priced business hub offering well-planned flexible workspace in Richmond on the back of a growing population and sound underlying regional fundamentals,” said Vining.
“The concept they’ve come up is already resonating with the local market, with five of the 26 units in the first release already sold.
“Given the size of the units on offer and the unit-titled model, the 21 remaining units available in the first release will appeal to owner-occupiers looking for well-located space that they can own themselves, rather than being beholden to a landlord.”
Vining said the pricing structure means it’s a viable proposition for small business owners, particularly those who reside in the area and/or those working across the wider Nelson-Tasman district, as there are locational advantages to being just 1km from SH6 which runs north and south.
“These will be very functional workspaces with a great community feel and looking at the renders for the property layout, the communal area adds value to the development, and could come alive at lunchtime being a great spot for a coffee cart to operate.”
The Cube on Queen is close to the Berryfields, Appleby Fields and The Meadows residential subdivisions which are adding around 1200 new homes to the area.
Nearby, there will be restaurants, cafes, a school, a cinema, lifestyle village and a proposed day-care centre will be adjacent to The Cube development.
The site is 1km to Richmond’s main street and Richmond Mall, 9km to Nelson Airport, 14km to Port Nelson and 15km from the Nelson CBD.