The developers of the planned $25 million Terrace Junction development at the gateway to Queenstown have announced their first tenants.
A Burger King drive-through restaurant and Liquor King outlet will be among 15 tenants expected to take up retail and office space in the complex, which is to be built beside the existing BP petrol station at Frankton.
Frankton Commercial Investments Ltd was granted resource consent to build the two-storey retail development in 2006.
However, the project was delayed when Transit New Zealand appealed to the Environment Court over concerns the development would lead to increased congestion on the Frankton roundabout, located beside the site at the junction of State Highways 6 and 6a.
The project was put on hold while the parties went to mediation, but an Environment Court ruling last October confirmed agreement had been reached and the appeal was dismissed.
Frankton Commercial Investments Ltd director Lindsay Williams, of Timaru, said the delays had been frustrating but he was encouraged by progress since then.
‘‘It's been a long haul . . . now we are pleased to be getting on with the actual construction of the development,'' he said.
The development would comprise 15 retail shops with additional first-floor office space and more than 120 car parks.
The building site was ideally located on ‘‘arguably the highest-profile corner site'' available in Queenstown, MAC Property agent Jason Steed, who is marketing the development, said.
Mr Williams said additional tenants were expected to be confirmed in eight weeks, once expressions of interest closed on April 24. Construction was to begin in May and continue until June next year.
