16 | Colliers Christchurch: Homebase Location perfect for expansion The first stage of the expansion will be completed in May next year, and will add 8000sqm to the existing Homebase. T T Richard Loader REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT A major expansion of the Homebase large format retail (LFR) complex on the corner of Christchurch’s Marshland Road and QE2 Drive is set to deliver a modern shopping experience on the doorstep of the eastern suburbs. The existing Homebase complex, anchored by a large Bunnings hardware store with 15 adjoining tenancies, encompasses 17,000sqm. The expansion, which will be completed over three stages, will add another 24,000sqm. Deviating from the traditional LFR offering, the expansion will embrace an exciting food and beverage precinct and a supermarket, making it a first of the kind for Christchurch. Colliers Christchurch has been retail consultants for Homebase from its beginning a decade ago, assisting with master planning, and providing day-to-day management of the complex and the leasing of the shops. Colliers National Retail Property Consultant Evan Harris says the lack of LFR in the eastern suburbs was a key driver for the expansion, with the location perfect for the catchment area. Over 60,000 vehicles per day travel Marshland Road and QE2 Drive (Christchurch’s major ring road); putting it in the top five of busy intersections in Christchurch. We see the whole of east Christchurch right down to Heathcote as our catchment, which encompasses a population of 100,000 people. QE2 also provides direct access to the northern motorway, which links us into the North Canterbury catchment.” The first stage of the expansion will be completed in May next year, and will add 8000sqm to the existing Homebase, encompassing the food and beverage precinct, along with nine LFR retailers. While there will be some construction overlap, the second stage, consisting of a 3500sqm supermarket, will be completed in 2026, with the final stage consisting of another 10 to 15 LFR stores completed in 2027. Construction is being led by Armitage Williams, following a competitive tender process. “There are three food and beverage businesses already secured for the complex, including a top Christchurch café, and fantastic pizza and Japanese sushi businesses. One food and beverage shop is still available for lease. Each food and beverage business has its own internal area where diners can sit, but that opens out to a covered, outdoor seated garden area that is shared, and will provide the whole space with life and vibrancy. That will be a stunning centre point of the whole complex. “We have also added a lot of architectural features to the building, including a big sloping roof and glazed area at the entrance-way to add interest and a point of difference to the LFR structure.” With a legacy of over 90 years, Davis Ogilvie & Partners (DO) prioritise community wellbeing and enduring solutions, whether that is a multidisciplinary or a standalone project. The company’s commitment to excellence ensures that every project is customised to suit the distinct requirements of its clients and the community. Founded as a land survey company in Christchurch, DO now embraces a diverse range of disciplines including engineering, surveying, and planning services with specialist expertise in civil, geotechnical and structural engineering, resource management, and environmental sciences. “By combining these diverse capabilities, we simplify construction, design, and development processes, promoting teamwork that results in improved solutions and enhanced environments,” says Director Elliot Duke. Privately owned by the company’s three directors who all work within the business, DO has expanded to four branches; Timaru, Greymouth and Nelson, with Christchurch remaining the main hub. Proudly delivering solutions throughout the South Island, DO’s diverse customer sectors include home owners, large and smaller scale property developers, investors, local and central government, and collaboration with other consultancies. “One of our key points of di erence is that our clients get to work with our senior leaders, while still getting the local Committed to excellence experience. It means that our clients are not just working with people who are very technical, but also have a strong understanding of the local landscape. We’re involved fromdirt to development, providing end-to-end solutions tailored to local communities, that are resilient and sustainable. We look beyond short term solutions, to ind long termbene its to communities and enduring solutions.” Elliot says DOwas proud to have been engaged by the Homebase team to assist with the Plan Change, civil engineering design work, stormwater modelling and geotechnical work in regard to the development of the project. “We did the civil design for the very busy Marshlands Road and QE2 Drive (Christchurch’s major ring road) intersection, as part of that project. Over 60,000 vehicles per day travel that intersection, putting it in the top ive of busy intersections in Christchurch.” With a success story that speaks of the importance DO places on building enduring relationships with its customers, and a collaborative approach to inding tailored solutions that meet their customers’ needs, Elliot says it is the team’s commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes that brings that to life. “We have a teamof over one hundred sta spread over the four branches encompassing skilled professionals, graduates, project managers and support sta . As a multi-disciplinary practice, we are also committed to the professional development of our people to ensure they stay current and at the front of their ields.” Land Surveying / Resource Management Environmental Science / Structural Engineering Geotechnical Engineering / Civil Engineering PROVIDING SOUTH ISLAND-WIDE EXPERTISE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS 0800 999 333 hello@do.nz www.do.nz Christchurch / Timaru Greymouth / Nelson Proud to be carboNZero certified
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