Todd Property Group managing director Evan Davies says that despite Covid-19-related challenges over the past 12-months, including the recent Alert Level 3 lockdowns in Auckland, it will open the doors to Ormiston Town Centre on Thursday [March 25] to support the surrounding community, and the tenants who have worked hard to be ready for that date.
“Opening a retail development in a worldwide pandemic is not for the faint-hearted but as we expect Covid-19-related lockdowns and restrictions could continue for some time yet, we have made the decision to be brave, bold and to uphold our promise to open on time,” says Davies.
Part of a 19-hectare development of Auckland Council land around Ormiston Road, Ormiston Town Centre is a $250 million-plus development that has been under construction since October 2018.
The opening of the centre was delayed from October 2020 to March 25, 2021 due to construction delays caused by Covid-19-related restrictions.
The festivities on the day will start around 8am with Auckland Mayor Phil Goff in attendance and local iwi Ngai Tai kicking off formalites.
“Our major tenants – New World, Hoyts, The Warehouse, Noel Leeming and CityFitness – are strong and committed, and we have an exciting food and beverage offering for a growing community, who are currently lacking in retail and social infrastructure,” says Davies.
When the doors open on March 25, Ormiston Town Centre will offer supermarkets, gyms, a department store, food and beverage, and a mix of health and beauty and speciality services, including ASB, Unichem Pharmacy, 2 Degrees and SnapFitness.
Other fit-outs will continue past the opening date and the remaining stores are expected to fill over time as leasing continues.
“We have commitment and interest from some great operators and are currently working through the details relating to timings for future stores, which will open over the next few weeks and months.
“We set out with a clear vision to create a space for the community to occupy and make their own. At opening we will have delivered the bones of what was promised – a place for the community with high-quality and thoughtful design, generous and engaging public spaces and everyday convenience,” said Davies.
- Ormiston Town Centre will open to the public at 9am on March 25.
Ormiston Town Centre is a development partnership between Todd Property and Auckland Council. The suburb of Ormiston has been master-planned in consultation with Auckland Council as a fully functioning, self-contained community.
Ormiston is just 4.5 kilometres from the southern motorway (exit 449), 5 kilometres from Manukau City Centre, and 25km from the Auckland CBD.
Stage 1 of Ormiston Town Centre was completed in 2015 and Stage 2 will open on Thursday. The two stages come together to offer supermarkets, department stores, health and beauty, fashion, gyms, childcare, entertainment and food and beverage.
In addition to servicing residents within the Ormiston and Flat Bush suburbs, Ormiston Town Centre will service the surrounding residential suburbs of Whitford, East Tamaki Heights, Clover Park and Totara Heights along with commuters from Maraetai and Beachlands. www.ormistontown.co.nz
