The first Mitre 10 Mega store outside Dunedin and Invercargill is likely to create about 50 new jobs and give the construction trade in Queenstown a boost.
Cross Roads Properties Ltd, a property subsidiary of department store chain H&J Smith, was granted consent with conditions by Judge Jon Jackson and commissioner Heather McConachy on Friday to build and operate a trade retail store at the northeastern end of the Frankton Flats.
The proposed single, ground-floor building of 6249sq m would sit on a 1.82ha site with car parking, landscaping and signs for the home improvement store.
H&J Smith co-director Jason Smith, of Invercargill, said this week he and the company were "delighted" to receive approval on their third attempt and third proposed location to open a Mega store in Queenstown since 2003.
"Friday was a very good day for us. We're very excited and really looking forward to being able to bring this to the market," Mr Smith said.
"Probably, when you add it all up, it's going to get close to [costing $20 million] and that also includes all the stocking and pre-opening expenses.
"It's a significant number.
They're not cheap investments, these stores, but that's the level of commitment you do when you want to build a store and bring the range of product we want to into Queenstown."
He said it was too early to say when construction would begin because the 65-page decision had just been received.
However, H&J Smith intended to close the existing, overflowing, Mitre 10 it operated in Remarkables Park Town Centre one day and open the Mega store the next, he said.
"We'll be offering our team roles in the new store as we move forward, but that's quite a wee way down the track yet."
Mr Smith said an ideal time for the company to open a Mitre 10 Mega store would be in early October, ahead of the summer season. However, he could not say in which year.
The decision directed Cross Roads to lodge and serve an amended landscaping plan to show the mostly native species planting, all hard landscape elements including street furniture, an open green space to provide shelter, shade and seating, plus redrawn building plans to show windows in the mezzanine, a door to the northwest of the cafe and a roof water collection system.
Asked if he thought the conditions were workable, Mr Smith said the company was reading through the decision this week.
"I can assure you, we will do what we can to deliver a good-looking store for both Mitre 10 businesses and the many customers of Queenstown who we think are looking forward to us arriving and opening the doors."
