Business South March 2021

26 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Darling Realty Dunedin real estate firm takes leap T Russell Fredric The owners of Skyfit24, which had been operating from the Octagon for many years, could see the opportunity to expand into Mosgiel. W ell-known in Dunedin as a real estate company, property owner and manager, Darling Realty has also undertaken successful property development on behalf of some clients. Two recent developments have proven a win-win for both Darling Realty and their lessees, gymnasium SkyFit24 and removal company Allied Pickford. Darling Realty principal says new builds are usually undertaken on behalf of existing lessees whose needs have changed, includ- ing the need for a more modern building to operate out of, a better location, or as a result of expansion. Property development has allowed Darling Realty to diversify outside its core business of real estate sales and management of proper- ties, Lincoln says. “It’s usually on tenant demand.” The owners of Skyfit24, which had been operating from the Octagon for many years, could see the opportunity to expand into Mosgiel. “They’ve been good clients of ours for a number of years and they saw an opening in Mosgiel. We had some land behind some shops that we own in Mosgiel which they thought was in a very good site, so we devel- oped a new gym to their exact specifications.” Construction was contracted to Cook Broth- ers, Dunedin. “From the ground up SkyFit24 were part of the development. They were able to specify what they saw for their business model so we were able to create that.” Having Darling Realty undertake the devel- opment meant owners Phil and Angela could focus on their business undistracted by a major project. “It’s a win-win for both parties. They are very good tenants, we had blank spot in our land bank so it was a win-win situation in that respect.” Darling Realty commercial manager Nick Darling says Cook Brothers, who have com- pleted many significant projects across a wide range of sectors throughout New Zealand, were excellent to work with and brought significant expertise to the table. Expected to open by Easter this year, Sky- Fit24’s new temperature-controlled Mosgiel gymnasium includes a mezzanine level and will house state-of-the-art exercise equipment, a personal training room, men’s and women’s changing rooms and other facilities. With Mosgiel’s burgeoning population, the time was ripe for SkyFit24 to expand, Phil Chaney says. “We’ve got a good working relationship Contract engineering - Maintenance, welding & repair for Industrial shutdowns & heavy machinery Steel plate processing - Cutting, rolling & pressing using a high spec Trumpf press General Engineering - Anything made of steel or aluminium - No job too big or small 26 Orari St, Dunedin 021 042 2300 toddeng@xtra.co.nz toddengineering.co.nz Fabrication & Engineering Specialists Based in Dunedin | Otago-wide Service Structural Steel fabrication & Installation ENGINEERING We are proud to work alongside Naylor Love www.wae.co.nz 03 465 7797 0800 WAE CRANES