Lyttelton marina marketers talk with potential tenants

Thursday, 31 May 2018

The Woolstore overlooking Te Ana Marina at Lyttelton.

Inquiries from breweries, the seafood industry, and an award-winning restaurateur could turn Lyttelton's new Te Ana Marina's Woolstore redevelopment into the latest hospitality hub in Christchurch.

Lyttelton Port Company has completed the 170-berth walk-on floating marina and is refurbishing the Woolstore in Te Ana for commercial tenants.

More than 140 berths are being used by powerboats, mono-hull yachts, catamarans and launches at a cost of about $5000 a year, with options for shorter or longer stays.

The old Woolstore overlooking the waterfront is being renovated and will include 720 square metres of ground floor space in a range of sizes up to 400sqm.

The former pile marina, showing the foreground areas earmarked for development including a connecting pathway to the town.

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Craig Edwards, of commercial real estate firm Knight Frank, said he was fielding interest from local operators as the port tries to create a hospitality venue.

The aim is to create a quality hospitality venue, rather than unrelated retailers.

Attracting sufficient patronage may be challenging until walkway connections are built to the town, along with other developments that are several years away.

Te Ana Marina is part of the port's regeneration of the inner harbour, which will eventually connect with a walkway to the Lyttelton town centre.

Lyttelton Port built owns and manages the marina and associated commercial facilities.

Knight Frank recently completed a preliminary appraisal of rents for spaces available at the Woolstore and canvassed potential occupiers to evaluate interest.

'Rental rates at Te Ana are expected to be competitive and attractive to business operators,' Edwards said.

When asked what the rates would be, Edwards said 'it depends'.

Rents would be negotiated on a range of issues so it would be misleading to give a figure, he said.

Edwards said operators needed a long term view but it was worth the investment for business owners given the value of the location and facility.

He expected tenants will mostly be locally-owned established businesses, and said he had also been talking with the marine brokerage industry.

Lyttelton Port marketing manager Simon Munt urged interested businesses to invest and complete fit-outs for a spring opening.

Ground floor tenants will have views over the marina and benefit from marina users and the planned pedestrian link connecting Te Ana Marina to Lyttelton. There was considerable on-site parking.

Lyttelton Harbour Business Association Chairman Rob De Thier said the marina would attract more visiting boats and beautified the area, which would also benefit from cruise ship visits after a mooring area development is completed.

The marina's administration offices, berth-holder amenities and public washroom facilities will also be at the Woolstore.