Building consents totalling $12m had been issued for the new building, across two stages.<\/p>\n
A Mitre 10 spokesperson would not divulge the project\u2019s total value, citing commercial sensitivity.<\/p>\n
The new store will open in September and the current store will close then.<\/p>\n
The home improvement store has been at its Gravatt Rd site since 2005.<\/p>\n
Chemist Warehouse and CityFitness would take Mitre 10\u2019s place, spokesman for landlord Pokaka Properties Limited, Desmond Wai, confirmed.<\/p>\n
The two businesses were expected to open early next year, after redevelopment of the site finished, said Wai, who is the director of architecture and property consultancy RCG and RCG Realty.<\/p>\n
The building has a 3500sq m footprint, which will be divided into a 1072sq m chemist retailer and a 1478sq m gym.<\/p>\n
Wai said another two retail tenancies would join them on the site in late 2027.<\/p>\n
Mitre 10 P\u0101p\u0101moa is expected to move from Gravatt Rd to The Sands in P\u0101p\u0101moa East this spring. Photo \/ Kelly O’Hara<\/p>\n
He told the Bay of Plenty Times the owners bought the site in August 2020.<\/p>\n
Wai said redevelopment works were expected to start later this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis development reflects the confidence that both property owners and national retailers have in P\u0101p\u0101moa\u2019s long-term future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stage one of the redevelopment involved internal subdivision, new customer entrances, and facade improvements. The second stage would deliver the two additional retail tenancies. <\/p>\n
Wai said P\u0101p\u0101moa was one of New Zealand\u2019s fastest-growing communities<\/a> and one of the Bay of Plenty\u2019s significant growth corridors. This created \u201cstrong demand\u201d for quality retail and service offerings.<\/p>\n \u201cNational retailers are attracted to locations that offer sustained population growth, improving infrastructure, and strong long-term catchment fundamentals.\u201d<\/p>\n Wai said retailers were looking beyond traditional city centres and recognising the opportunities in high-growth suburban communities<\/a>.<\/p>\n He said the redevelopment would create employment opportunities during construction and ongoing operations.<\/p>\n It would also increase local retail expenditure, improve access to health services, and support future commercial development.<\/p>\n Wai said Chemist Warehouse and CityFitness would provide \u201chigh-frequency visitation\u201d.<\/p>\n The redevelopment\u2019s cost had not been finalised.<\/p>\n CityFitness director of marketing and communications Gertrude Tevita said demand for a P\u0101p\u0101moa location was strong.<\/p>\n The gym would be open 24 hours a day.<\/p>\n Tevita said the layout and offerings were being finalised. Further details would be announced closer to opening.<\/p>\n There were four other gyms in P\u0101p\u0101moa Plaza and Fashion Island Shopping Centre. <\/p>\n Ben Van den Borst, who owns two pharmacies in P\u0101p\u0101moa, said he was looking forward to competition from Chemist Warehouse<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cBring it on. Competition\u2019s good.\u201d<\/p>\n Van den Borst owns My Pharmacy P\u0101p\u0101moa \u2013 across the road at P\u0101p\u0101moa Plaza \u2013 and My Pharmacy Whitiora Health Centre in P\u0101p\u0101moa East.<\/p>\n He said his customers were loyal and his staff were \u201cembedded in the community\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201c[Patients] who used to see me when they were little are now bringing their kids in to see me.\u201d<\/p>\n Van den Borst said consumers and patients would be the winners with more retail options.<\/p>\n Chemist Warehouse was approached for comment.<\/p>\n P\u0101p\u0101moa ward councillor Steve Morris said the suburb was still light on retail offerings relative to its population.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are still underserved in my view, but it shows the strength of P\u0101p\u0101moa: as soon as one store is moving, two are coming in.\u201d<\/p>\n Morris said supply was following demand and the numbers showed P\u0101p\u0101moa was an attractive retail destination.<\/p>\n \u201cIt continues to make P\u0101p\u0101moa a place where you can live, work, and play.\u201d<\/p>\n He said the development of Te Tumu<\/a> \u2013 a prospective residential development of 8000 new homes east of P\u0101p\u0101moa \u2013 would \u201ckick\u201d retail development into \u201csecond gear\u201d.<\/p>\nChemist Warehouse and CityFitness are expected to open on Gravatt Rd in P\u0101p\u0101moa early next year. <\/p>\n