| 47 Mike Walker Management T T Sue Russell Revitalising Hastings city centre The development of the former Farmers’ Co-op garage building at 206 Queen Street West, within the 200 West Block, is all part of Council’s vision to revitalise the city. engineers | surveyors | planners | geospatial • Civil Engineering • Land Development & Subdivisions • Surveying & Data Capture • Resource Consents & Planning • 3D Laser Scanning & UAV Surveys • Geospatial & GIS Services Delivering Land Development Projects Ph: 06 835 2096 18 Bower Street, Napier Proudly supporting Mike Walker Management • Commercial • Residential • Educational • Design & Build The regeneration of central Hastings has been given further expression with the promise of opening up space for central city living, commercial and office activity along with an accessible green laneway. The development of the historic building at 206 Queen Street West, within the 200 West Block, is all part of Council’s vision to revitalise the city, drawing people back into the centre, where buildings of architectural merit have seen better days. The former Farmers’ Co-op garage building and nearby areas are set to transform into something rather special for the city as Mike Walker of MikeWalker Management Ltd explains. “There are several stages to this development and I am proud to be working with Council to create a new public park and laneway connecting Queen Street West to Heretaunga Street West whilst also strengthening and repurposing the Farmers’ Co-op building to create a unique office in the CBD.” The next stage of the development includes a number of townhouses that will benefit from direct access to the new public park. It’s all about mixed-use and, through bricks and mortar, opening up possibilities to enliven business activity and central city living. Council had for a number of years locked into its long-term plan the development of suitable sites in town, recognising that, as the city’s population grows, more housing options in town were sought. “It’s a unique opportunity to blend heritage buildings with modern living that will deliver long-term value to this community, drawing people back into town and creating a vibrant CBD,” says Mike. The project is being staged with the first priority being to demolish the existing buildings, whilst retaining and strengthening the historic façade. This includes construction of a new entrance lobby and stairs to the first floor offices together with a small retail space at the entrance to the park. This work is being completed in conjunction with the park and laneway. Stage 2 is the development of an adjoining two-storey office building. Stage 3 is the development of seven townhouses, upon entering into Sale & Purchase contracts. Mike says Council purchased the property a number of years ago with a view to redevelopment and had considered numerous options for the site. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT In December 2024 they issued a Request for Proposals from developers as to how best to develop the site and his proposal was accepted. “It’s been a positive engagement. I proposed a staged concept, reducing the initial capital expenditure required. “While Council originally had in mind a three-storey, 20-unit apartment block with ground floor car parking, this would have been highly speculative in an untested market. My staged solution minimises that initial capital expenditure but provides a similar outcome.” The proposal required an amendment to the exisitng resource consent, originally granted for the 20 apartment block development, enabling instead, construction over time of terraced townhouses. “Now that the original façade is being strengthened, it will create an office on the first floor with a lovely curved roof and roof terrace.” A double height stairwell, constructed from woodgrain finished, precast concrete panels and an architectural tapered stair will lead to a bridge overlooking the entrance that will connect both the Stage 1 and 2 offices. Construction of Stage 1 is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Mike Walker and his investment partners have also purchased and developed a number of buildings around Napier’s CBD, including Willis House and, more recently, the old Gaiety Theatre at 88–94 Dickens Street. “I really enjoy the problem solving that comes with repurposing buildings that celebrate the history of a town and we’re fortunate in both Napier and Hastings to have Councils who are very supportive of these types of developments.” “It’s a unique opportunity to blend heritage buildings with modern living that will deliver long-term value to this community, drawing people back into town and creating a vibrant CBD.”
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