Bayleys Tauranga residential and commercial branch manager Dickie Durman said any property that came on to the market was "hotly contested".
"It's quite tightly held real estate over there so not a lot comes up for sale generally... normally they are tenanted investments."
Mount Brewing owner Matt Hayward said he had been in Mount Maunganui for three years after owning two businesses in Tauranga.
He said there had been "massive growth in the Mount".
The move had paid off and, in his view, the Mount had taken over from The Strand with its restaurant and cafe culture, he said.
"Although it's not all roses in the Mount, winter is still survival, but we are getting closer to getting to 12 months a year."
Myrrh & Co owner Julie Duncan said she moved to the Cruise Deck at the Mount five weeks ago from Opotiki.
"It is fizzing here at the moment."
She targeted Mount Maunganui because of the location and people.
"I am just here on my own and almost a bit stretched so I can't complain."
She signed a lease for two years at $22,000 plus GST per year and said it was one of the last places left.
"I looked at it twice and it has worked out to be the perfect place for me.
"I am lucky I jumped at it ... there were three people behind me waiting for it," she said.
Colliers International Tauranga commercial sales and leasing agent Duncan Woodhouse said multi-million dollar shopping precinct Mount Central, spearheaded by Seton Investments, a company owned by businessman Richard Seton, was on track.
Work to construct Mount Central on the 1350sq m block of land on the corner of Maunganui Rd and Banks Ave, which currently accommodates Sunny's Variety Store and two other businesses, was expected to start after Easter.
Mr Woodhouse said strong expressions of interest for tenancies had been received, both locally and nationally, although it had not signed anyone yet as the design and other details were being working on.
Ross Stanway, chief executive of Eves and Bayleys Real Estate, said given the population growth, activity and age of the buildings at Mount Maunganui, "I would have thought it was very timely for some new investment and new development of a commercial retail nature".
"It could sort of lift the Mount into the 2016/2017 era particularly if it relates to a nice, modern architecture and innovative ideas."
Priority One projects manager Annie Hill said the strong growth of the Mount Maunganui retail area was great for the economy.
"This is all about people visiting and having a great experience, and going away with a good feeling about Tauranga in its entirety."
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stan Gregec said the proposed new developments "would be a shot in the arm".
"It's great to see the Mount enjoying strong business activity like the rest of Tauranga, and the opportunity is to see it grow and thrive into an all-year-round shopping and commercial destination that builds on its unique character and beachside location."
