A range of commercial and infrastructure developments are scheduled for completion from late 2014 through to 2018. These will bring the rapidly expanding population of Queenstown residents and visitors a wide range of new facilities to enjoy.
Cavell Leitch's team is excited to see the size and variety of development. A snapshot of the Queenstown developments that are underway or will kick off shortly is set out below:
- The long awaited Five Mile development on Frankton Flats is due to open Stage One in mid 2015. Stage One contains a Countdown Supermarket, Briscoes and Rebel Sport. Other confirmed tenants include a Warehouse Stationery and Number One Shoes. Some Queenstown residents will still remember ordering their groceries from Invercargill. By mid 2015, grocery shoppers will have a choice between New World, Fresh Choice and Countdown. Pak 'n Save is also coming to Shotover Park's development on Frankton Flats. Foodstuffs haven't confirmed a definite opening date, as the timing depends on the development of critical infrastructure, namely roading (more on that below).
- The other significant retail development in Frankton is "The Landing" at Remarkables Park. The Landing comprises three new retail and commercial buildings, located opposite the entrance to New World. The first building is set to open in late 2014, with the other two buildings due for completion shortly afterward. The developer, Savanna Group, expects The Landing will be 100% leased on opening, although no details have been released yet regarding the tenants.
- Also on Frankton Flats, work has begun on the expansion and addition of a café to the Shotover Garden Centre on SH6.
- Another new commercial development will bring convenience to the 440 or so Lakes Hayes Estate households. That community will soon be serviced by a café, bar and grocery store, due to open this summer at 1 Onslow Road.
- In the Queenstown CBD, demolition work is almost complete on a large site with frontage to Shotover and Memorial Street. Trojan Holdings will construct a new commercial and office development with Outside Sports as its anchor tenant. The project is aiming for completion in early 2015.
- Another new CBD development will begin next year on the lakefront site that currently houses Aggy's Fish and Chip Shack. Skyline Enterprises will construct a multi storey retail and commercial development at 9-11 Marine Parade, topped off with a penthouse apartment.
- Queenstown has also been favoured by the Government in the latest announcement regarding State Highway projects. A two-lane replacement for the current one lane Kawarau Falls Bridge is set to begin in 2015, with a two year construction timeframe.
- Work will shortly begin on fixing the hazardous entrance to Glenda Drive. A new roundabout controlling traffic where SH 6 connects with the new Eastern Access Road is to be built.
- Other public projects currently underway include the construction of a new 650 pupil primary school at Shotover Country. The new school will open its first stage in early 2015.
- The Ministry of Education has also recently announced that Wakatipu High School will relocate to Remarkables Park, on a new site opposite the "red barn" that currently houses the Remarkables Market on summer Saturdays. The High School's sunny new site will cater for 1,500 pupils and will be easily accessed off the new Eastern Access Road.
- The Remarkables Ski Field is also expanding and improving its facilities. Skiers and riders have had new territory to explore with the opening of a new chairlift. The first third of the 13.5km mountain road has been sealed, with the next two instalments scheduled for the next two years. Significant work has also begun on a new base building.
Other Queenstown developments in the planning stages include convention facilities and the linking up of the Eastern Access Road, connecting SH6 at Glenda Drive with Frankton, around the end of the Airport runway.
The busy development scene reflects the strong growth in Queenstown's resident population and popularity as a visitor destination.
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