A Mexican food franchise with a philanthropic twist is one of the latest three businesses to sign up for Queenstown's The Landing retail development.
Construction began in July at the complex opposite the entrance to the Remarkables Park Town Centre at Frankton, and adjoining Queenstown Airport. Set on 1.2ha, it includes 16 retail shops in three buildings spanning 3200sq m and with 110 car parks. Only a ''handful'' of the available premises remained, Savanna Group director Lindsay Williams said.
On completion, the value of the complex would be around $16 million, he said.
Yevrah Ornstein, former co-owner and manager of the resort's luxury Matakauri Lodge, has bought a Zambrero franchise. The Australian-owned company was founded in 2005 by entrepreneur, medical doctor and philanthropist Sam Prince.
It had since provided ''millions'' of meals to those living in poverty through its Plate 4 Plate charity initiative.
Remarkable Physios will relocate its Remarkables Park clinic to The Landing in April, and a Christchurch-based ethnic grocery specialist will also open. Jinman Nan, on behalf of the three directors of the business, said he and his associates thought Queenstown's ''fast and growing business district'' was the ideal forum for their second business venture.
Remarkable Physios' managing director Melissa Davidson said The Landing was a ''highly visible'' location. The business was also retaining its clinic in Queenstown's CBD.
Mr Williams said Savanna Group was pleased with both the progress and quality of the build.
It was a significant development, consolidating the Remarkables Park Town Centre, which already contained a variety of national and local retailers.
With many businesses being either new to town or an additional branch, there was more employment and a greater choice for shoppers, he said.
The latest census figures, which showed a rapid increase in population and growth of the Queenstown Lakes area, backed the company's commitment to the development, he said.
Opening of stage one will be at the beginning of next month, while the official opening will follow completion of stage two in mid April next year.
Repco was previously announced as the first of the anchor tenants to open.
