News

New commercial and business park in Chch moves to next stage - Harvard Hub

A multi-million-dollar light industrial multi-use business park in Christchurch is moving forward with its next development stage after Stage One sold out in less than three months.

Stage One at Harvard Hub, situated on a plot of flat and sunny land at Wigram, just off the city’s Southern motorway, has been forging ahead since diggers broke first ground in December 2013.

All three large units in this initial stage have now sold, and are taking shape with foundations laid and tile slab walls erected -- completion is expected by early winter.

Earthworks on Stage Two started last week, with strong interest already being shown from potential buyers for an additional 19 units, ranging in size from as little as 55sqm to 330sqm, while warehouse sizes go from 60sqm to 514sqm.

Meanwhile Arrowtown-based property developer Lindsay Topp of property investment company TPI Ltd has announced that well-respected and long-established Christchurch café operator Meshino’s is already on board to open a café in Stage Two, and Ray White Metro will open right next door.

The new café, to be operated by long-term owner/operators and highly experienced and qualified chefs Mike and Gaby Topp, will be called Meshino Espresso.

"We have a very loyal customer base for our existing café in St Albans, but as some of our regular customers have moved to Wigram we know there’s already a sense of anticipation among those hanging out for our great coffee, fantastic counter food, breakfasts, brunches and lunches," said Gaby.

"We’re taking the same successful formula to Wigram albeit in a slightly smaller format, opening earlier to cater for tradespeople in the area and seven days a week because there’s going to be a huge community on the doorstep.

"We’re known for having 80% of our meat hand-picked from a farm in Amberley and our fresh seasonal produce, so the emphasis at Meshino Espresso will be on beautiful food and faster service, still served with a smile."

The new café will feature approximately 50 seats inside and out and is scheduled to open at the beginning of 2015.

Ray White Metro CEO Tony McPherson said the decision to buy a unit at Harvard Hub was an easy one.

"We felt it was a very good central part of where the growth is going to be in Christchurch residentially in the next decade or two," he said.

The new office will house a 15 to 20-strong sales and administration team which plans to move in on December 1.

"Meshino’s is one of the attractions as far as we’re concerned because a good café draws a lot of people," said Mr McPherson.

Sitting right alongside Christchurch’s biggest residential subdivision Wigram Skies, which will include a full-size shopping centre and around 1800 homes, individual unit buildings at Harvard Hub cater for a wide range of businesses, from service and distribution storage to trades, professional offices and light manufacturers.

Mr Topp said the level of interest in the units had been "very high" since the project was first launched.

"There’s a lot of businesses looking to establish themselves in this fast-growing area, and Meshino’s will be perfectly placed to service those," he said.

Gavin Ryan of commercial property sales and leasing specialists M B Cook Ltd said Harvard was "very attractive" to investors, owner-occupiers and tenant, thanks to its proximity to both a large residential development with all the new associated amenities and easy transport links, together with Harvard Hub’s sensible range of mixed business use options.

"As well as the commitment of Meshino’s and Ray White Metro to the Hub, we have all of Stage One now sold, while four units have already sold in Stage Two, seven more are under contract and another one is in negotiation," he said.

"Clearly this development and its surrounds has very strong appeal in the current market so they’re filling up fast with owner-occupiers, tenants and investors."

All showroom and office spaces feature fully ducted air conditioning and some have profile street frontage. High ceiling heights from 2.7m to 3m ensure light and airy premises and a number are also North-facing.

On-site car parking with multiple access-ways adds to ease of use for both businesses customers and their trusted suppliers, with Harvard Hub also featuring extensive hard and soft landscaping.

The high-profile project is under construction by the Christchurch branch of award-winning South Island company Amalgamated Builders (ABL). 

Sales and lease enquiries are welcome to Gavin Ryan on 0274 584 587 or (03) 341 4098 and further information on the development is found at www.harvardhub.co.nz