The first retail store at Hastings' new retail centre will be handed over to national retailer The Warehouse.
The Warehouse and Mitre 10 Mega are the two anchor tenants of the 6.3ha site which will have 25,100sqm of retail space.
Charter Hall's Development Services Manager, Chris Chapple, said the new large format
retail centre for Hastings was progressing to plan.
At least three companies, The Warehouse, Mitre 10 Mega and Fishing Camping Outdoors will open before Christmas.
"The Warehouse site will be handed over at the end of this week and will be then fitted out and ready to open in late September," Mr Chapple said.
"This will coincide with the entrance roundabouts and all the internal civil works, such as entrance roads and parking being completed."
The 6300sqm The Warehouse store, which has taken local firm, Gemco Construction, seven months to build, is expected to open a few weeks before the Mitre 10 Mega, which is due to open in October.
The Mitre 10 Mega is 11,000sqm and is being built by another local firm, Mackersey Construction.
Mr Chapple said first stage building consents have also been approved for the next phase of three stores, one of which would be tenanted by Fishing, Camping and Outdoors (FCO).
The 1400sqm store, one of FCO's first outlets in New Zealand, will open before Christmas.
Mr Chapple said Charter Hall was in negotiations with another retailer for the second store, while a café was planned for the third.
"Negotiations are progressing well and we should be able to make an announcement soon.
"There has been good interest in the café and a fourth retail store," he said.
The remaining 4000sqm of retail space will be completed as a third stage to the centre.
