A long-time patch of bare land next to Mitre 10 Mega looks set to become a trades retail hub after a new owner stepped in to the buy the site.
Gibbons Property Investments has purchased the entire 9ha, which includes Mitre 10 Mega and Speight’s Ale House.
Now the company will look to develop the bare 4.5ha that is left.
Chief executive Scott Gibbons says the company has been interested in the site for some time due to its unique central position between Nelson city and Richmond, on the main highway both north and south, and near the airport.
“There is good demand for light industrial and trade retail businesses to be based in this central location between Richmond and Nelson city – the roading restraints in and out of the city makes this site very appealing from a logistics perspective and it really is a pivotal location for those types of services, with a profile like no other,” Scott says.
Scott says the company is careful when looking at developing sites to make sure it is meeting the needs of businesses in the region.
They are also in the final stages of developing a commercial site in Lower Queen St Richmond which will see Sal’s Authentic New York Pizza, Mexican eatery Zambrero and Japanese restaurant Aki Kitchen setting up shop.
Scott says they have a range of light industrial and trade retail development proposals for the site to consider over the coming months.
“Other interested parties include food and beverage, grocery, presenting a wide range of options for us to consider.”
Gibbons Development Leasing Manager Braden Stanton says it’s positive to have Nelson Junction back in local hands and to have plans underway for new buildings on the site.
“A large section of this site has been sitting empty with an unknown future for some time, so we are sure Nelsonians will be pleased there is a well thought out development underway,” Braden says.
“We welcome expressions of interest from those businesses who would like to be part of this exciting new development.”
