Business Park versatile

Press, 27 July 1989, Page 32

Business Park versatile

Riccarton Business Park is a new development linking a cohesive mix of retailing, commercial and industrial businesses.

Developed by the Amuri Corporation, Ltd, Riccarton Business Park occupies 3.6 ha (nine acres) of land, previously the location of Fletchers Asbestos and plywood factory. It was purchased by Amuri Corporation in February, 1987. The corporation had no fixed ideas about what to develop at that time, but discussions with the Riccarton Borough Council established that a complex with retailing, showrooms and warehouses would be the most appro-

priate, says Amuri’s corporate development manager, Mr Noel Gilchrist.

In March, 1987, the land was rezoned from industrial to commercial, to allow offices to be built.

It was rezoned again in September, 1988, allowing bulk retailing of heavier products such as furniture and carpets. Situated away from the centre of the city, yet still in a convenient location, Riccarton Business Park offers a total retail service of goods for the home with parking at the door.

Many of the businesses complement each other,

which saves customers from driving around the city to look at different products. One half of the complex has been developed so far. Five buildings, offering 7432 square metres (80,000 square feet) are all occupied, except for the last 464.505 q m (5000 sq ft), says Mr Gilchrist.

The tenants are the furniture manufacturer, W. Toomey, Eurostyle Furniture, Floor Pride, Feltex Carpets (a showroom, not a retail outlet), Fisher and Paykel’s regional office, Pazzato, a hard floor retail outlet, Slender You Figure Salon, New Zealand Salmon’s head office, Contract

Pacific, tour wholesalers, The Design Team and Cory-Wright and Salmon Trading.

The announcement of another new tenant is expected soon.

“The lifeblood of the complex is its variety,” says Mr Gilchrist.

“There is a wide cross section of users who are drawn from one type of business to another.

"Eventually the complex will be a non-stop concept,” he says. The development is expected to be completed in about three years when there will be up to 16 stand-alone buildings, all with parking at the door. The roading is complete

— the new road is Leslie Hills Drive.

Today’s tenants are looking for quality renting at affordable prices. Those who do not need to locate their businesses in the central city are in a position to enjoy the lower rentals offered by the business park, says Mr Gilchrist.

The Amuri Corporation owns Amuri Park, a commercial development in Bealey Avenue. Ninety seven per cent of the 250,000 square feet of office space is occupied. Amuri Corporation also built Landsborough House on the corner of Gloucester Street and Durham Street.