New multimillion-dollar development opening soon in Pāpāmoa

Deniz Buyukbektas is excited to open the doors to his new Pāpāmoa grill. Photo/George Novak

The doors to a completed multimillion-dollar two-storeyed shopping complex in Pāpāmoa are just days away from opening.

A nautical-themed bar and Mediterranean grill will open at Bluehaven's new Excelsa Centre complex on the corner of Golden Sands Drive and Papamoa Beach Rd next week.

The final stage of the new complex which includes a 135-seat boutique cinema and other retail stores and eateries will be opened by the end of the month.

Deniz and Svetlana Bektas will be the first to open their doors to their fully-licensed Grill & Green on September 13.

Bektas said he had owned other businesses in Matamata, Hamilton and Pyes Pa but chose Pāpāmoa to open his newest grill.

"I am a local here, and it suits my lifestyle. I love it here; this is like my home," he said.

"It is more than a business to me, it is my pleasure."

The Mediterranean grill will open near Bluehaven's proposed high-density special housing development at 4 Emerald Shores for 77 single-level detached dwellings on a 2.42ha site under leasehold agreements.

Bektas said the special housing development knocking on its back door would have a positive impact on the business.

"I have lived here for four years, and I have seen how the town just grows," he said. "There has probably been about 2000 people who have moved to the area."

Next to open, on September 14, will be Papa Mo's – a two storey bar and restaurant.

Co-owner Luke van Veen said the opening would be the culmination of 18 months' work.

"The community is really getting in behind us," he said. "I can't wait to open."

The establishment will include Little Mo, an Appleby Farms Ice Cream porthole serving icecream and takeaway coffee, thanks to the On The Go app.

Mr van Veen said Papa Mo's had "fantastic views of the ocean" and that Excelsa looked set to become one of the premier social hubs along the coastal strip.

The first stage of Excelsa, located nearby, includes a medical centre, dentist, pharmacy, cafe, Four Square supermarket and childcare facilities.

Bluehaven chief executive Nathan York said the new openings were another milestone for Golden Sands, which was "rapidly developing into a major destination area for Tauranga".

"Golden Sands is one of the fastest-growing areas in the Bay of Plenty, driven by a desirable coastal location, various housing options and good public amenity," York said.