Harvey Norman goes for big Christchurch store
Harvey Norman is opening a huge new store in the final stage of the Northlink large-format shopping centre on Langdons Rd in Papanui, Christchurch.
Construction of Stage 3, covering
7865sq m, is now in full swing, taking the total floor area of Northlink to
29,500sq m on completion, with more than 700 carparks.
Harvey Norman has taken a lease for a showroom measuring approximately 6000sq m plus additional warehousing, with outdoor retail brand Macpac and specialty automotive parts and accessories retailer Supercheap Auto both signing for 915sq m each.
Colliers’ director of retail in Christchurch, Nick Doig, who has spearheaded leasing of the centre over the past five years, says demand continues to exceed supply at Northlink, which is anchored by Kmart, Briscoes and now Harvey Norman.
“Northlink has been popular since its inception, drawing on the strong surrounding population and attracting shoppers from throughout Christchurch because of its retailer mix, convenient location, and plentiful parking.”
The new Harvey Norman store will be among the chain’s biggest in New Zealand. “Harvey Norman is always on the lookout for new locations,” says Doug Murray, the company’s NZ development and asset manager. “We expect to open several more stores across New Zealand over the coming years. Our next store to open in Christchurch is at Ravenswood, Rangiora, in North Canterbury.”
Construction is well progressed, and the store is planned to open later this year.
Built on 7.3ha, Northlink was once home to the Firestone tyre factory and its development has transformed the industrial brownfield site into one of Christchurch’s premier retail centres.
When the third stage is finished, Northlink will comprise 24 tenancies and will be fully leased.