The Vantage development will include 32 luxury apartments. Photo / Supplied
More than $1 billion is set to be pumped into Tauranga's CBD over the next five to eight years.
The investment is made up of major developments such as Thirty Eight Elizabeth St on "Farmers corner", a core group of about 10 additional office and accommodation projects, and a council investment of about $180 million.
The figure is based on projections by Economic development agency Priority One.
Priority One chief executive Nigel Tutt said the developments were expected to happen over the next five to eight years.
Tutt said the CBD was important to the economy but more so to the community as a focal point for Tauranga.
"During this time of expansion, it will be important to focus on liveability and facilities alongside the more obvious construction projects.
"Apartment development is another important area and a crucial part of a plan to add more housing capacity - we need more people living in the city, as well as working and studying."
Mainstreet Tauranga chairman Brian Berry said the CBD had been through some difficult times and it was "fantastic" to see so much investment being pumped into its future.
"It has been under pressure for several years and with what is planned and happening the end play is looking fantastic."
Berry said developments such as the Farmers building, 2 Devonport Rd, and the many apartment buildings under way will bring lots of people into the heart of the CBD.
The council committing to its CBD sites was also a catalyst for the private sector to take confidence in the future of the city centre, he said.
"In three to five years it is going to be a totally changed environment ... the city is coming of age."
Intensification of the Te Papa peninsula was going to be "key", he said.
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Matt Cowley said there was confidence in the city centre's future from both private and public entities.
"Confidence itself can generate more investment as people see the look and feel of the city centre evolve," he said.
"Our geography means that we have a hub-and-spoke model where the CBD plays an important central leadership role for infrastructure, transport, housing, and commerce."
Cowley said the Farmers building would be the most significant investment "as it will be a destination in itself".
"I'm also keen to see more apartments to make the CBD an everyday destination, rather than it just being busy between 9-5 on weekdays."
A new carpark building, private or public, was "more than justified" with this pipeline of investment, he said.
Tauranga Mainstreet spokesperson Sally Cooke said the CBD was "vital" to the region.
"It is the civic, cultural and commercial heart of the region and as the revitalisation of the CBD continues and gains momentum it will rightfully and proudly hold this place."
Cooke said Thirty Eight Elizabeth will be a "game-changer" for the city centre and the start of several others.
"This development will catalyse the revitalisation of our retail sector, increase the numbers of people living in our city centre.
"It shows significant confidence in the future of our city centre and is no doubt a catalyst to other transformational developments of note including 2 Devonport Rd.
"The development of our civic precinct into a cultural and creative hub will also be a welcome addition."
Thirty Eight Elizabeth and Elizabeth Towers project manager Brett Nicholls said the CBD was critical to Tauranga.
"It's the heart of the city and that's critical to a sense of community wellbeing."
The $200m Farmers Tauranga development, now called Thirty Eight Elizabeth, was underway on the corner of Elizabeth St and Devonport Rd.
The Farmers flagship store, including a retail and dining precinct, plus 97 luxury apartments and 23 sky townhouses, will be known as Elizabeth Towers.
Nicholls said the site had been fondly known as the "Farmers corner" since it opened in the 1970s.
"We wanted the redevelopment of the corner to revitalise Tauranga CBD and to act as a show of faith to encourage other investment and we are very pleased to see this is happening.
"We believe it's not only going to transform Tauranga CBD, but transform the way we think about luxury living in New Zealand. That means Tauranga CBD will be at the forefront."
The six-storey Vantage development on the corner of Cameron Rd and Fourth Ave will include 32 luxury apartments, plus ground-floor offices and a cafe/restaurant.
In a media release, the Urban Task Force (UTF) said a thriving central city that reflected Tauranga's heritage, connection to the ocean and identity as a lifestyle destination was within reach.
UTF chairman Scott Adams said with the Long-Term Plan (LTP) now in place, there was "a significant shift in momentum" under way at Tauranga City Council.
"It's time for the private sector to step up and join the conversation about how we shape the future of the city," he said in the release.
The members of UTF are advocating for creative and collaborative discussions between the public and private sectors about ways to revitalise the CBD.
"Both the commissioners and council CEO Marty Grenfell have signalled their intention to work proactively with the business community to forge lasting improvements for the city. For the first time, we feel like our voice is being heard," Adams said.
Tauranga City Council general manager: strategy and growth Christine Jones said in a written response that the council was "progressing a number of plans to transform the city centre from being a traditional retail and service centre to a major civic, cultural, business, educational, residential and commercial hub in our region".
"In responding to submissions on the Long-Term Plan, Tauranga City Council's commissioners recognised that the city centre does not look or feel like the thriving and vibrant hub it should be.
"This is partly due to years of ad hoc development, lack of commitment to a vision for the city centre, accelerated growth in outer suburbs and delayed investments. However, with recent and upcoming development led by both the public and private sectors, the potential to have a modern and exciting city centre is clear to see."
Black & Orange Property Limited development manager Daniel Kirk said 23 of the 32 apartments in the nearly $50m development had now sold and two of the five commercial tenancies had been filled.
"We are tracking really well."
Kirk said it was "crucial" for any major city to have a thriving city centre.
"It is the heartbeat of the area ... we are happy to be part of it."
He said the company firmly believed New Zealanders were slowly coming around to inner-city apartment living.
The development was on track to be complete by late 2022.
A five-storey development with 24 luxury apartments is planned for 1-3 Selwyn St.
Gartshore Group managing director Rob Gartshore, who is part of the development team for Luxridge Apartments, said Tauranga CBD was important as it "essentially breathes life into the city".
Gartshore said the city centre was gaining momentum and believed developments such as the Luxridge Apartments would add a "significant boost" to the redevelopment of the CBD.
However, Gartshore said revitalising the city centre will require continued significant public and private investment.
"As with any CBD it is all about confidence," he said.
"If you can see good positive things happening in that space ie access [Cameron Rd upgrade], parking, communal spaces, etc then private developers and investors are more willing to take a risk and build on that confidence."
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