With a planned opening date of early December, Wanaka’s newest mixed commercial business centre The Precinct is rapidly taking shape on Helwick Street.

The quarter acre section, which used to house the police station, will provide 1300m2 of rentable space to an eclectic mix of retail-hospitality-office space, contained within two connected, two-story buildings, plus a third hospitality level on top of one wing.

Property investment company Gemlake & Co signed up Wanaka based construction firm CDL Building to head the project. Gemlake owner, former high country station farmer and now local developer Steve Norman, said using locals has made a huge difference. 

“There are definite advantages in using locals as you get that connection; they’re there all the time, you can share a beer with them after work,” he said.

Steve said he’s dreamed of creating in Wanaka’s CBD a contemporary shopping precinct, with a bit of international/big city flair, featuring a mix of complementary products, services and hospitality. 

He said the project has been a family affair from the start. His wife Katrina has a green thumb and will be contributing to the development’s creative landscaping, while his architect son, James, drew up the plans, and daughter Melanie (Mel) takes up the interior design and marketing roles and will be The Precinct’s future manager.

One of The Precinct’s marketing images displays a 160m2 terrace rooftop garden. PHOTO: Theprecinct.co.nz

Mel said they’ve been very selective in the type of client to occupy The Precinct’s nine commercial spaces. “Each have their own independently owned, boutique business, not a chain store franchise, and we’re wanting them to all work together in a creative, complementary way.” 

Some are local businesses relocating from other sites, others are from big New Zealand cities seizing the opportunity to get established in Wanaka’s fast growing tourist destination. There will also be small and large office spaces.

Fashion designer Debbie Lawson sold her boutique store “Deval” in Christchurch and is relocating to Wanaka to provide a mix of national and international clothing brands for men and women.

Mel said Debbie was the first tenant to sign up for The Precinct almost before the plans had even been drawn up. “She ended up pushing us to do this a lot sooner than we had originally thought ... and it grew from there.” 

“Burger Burger” from Auckland has also signed up and will cater for locals and visitors with simple food in a cafe with courtyard overlooking Bullock Creek. 

The high-sided concrete, steel and glass buildings will be softened with a lot of green spaces, including the two rooftop terraces which will each host a hospitality client yet to be revealed.

Steve said he deliberately chose the twin building concept because it better suited the small, boutique style clients he wanted to attract. 

He also recognises this development in the heart of Wanaka’s central business district is a positive stand in support of the future commercial viability of the town’s centre. 

While the construction is finished, fit-out and landscaping is yet to be completed. Steve said the building has been designed with the structural integrity to include another couple of floors in the future. “That’s part of our sustainability process. We do it once properly, do it well, and it will stand the test of time,” he said.