New innovation hub planned for Rotorua (+ video)

Plans have been revealed for a 60-80 seat business hub, incubator and growth accelerator facility in the heart of the Rotorua CBD.

Innovation House is the brainchild of Firestation co-founders Darren and Rachael McGarvie, who currently operate a smaller entrepreneurial hub and co-working space on Haupapa St.

Ms McGarvie said Innovation House would be a first for the Bay of Plenty. It would have a blend of open plan co-working space, serviced offices, meeting rooms, and event amenities, providing 60-to-80 seats, with a central "meet street" with lounge, bar and barista/cafe. The design will incorporate a Wood First approach in its fit-out.

Firestation had already received in principle expressions of interest from 50 potential tenants from a range of corporates, professional services firms and local businesses, she said.

The McGarvies have identified a 900sq m, one storey building in the CBD, which they are trying to secure, initially under a five-year lease. Ms McGarvie said she was unable to disclose the property, as it was still early days in the discussions. However, the aim was to retrofit an existing building.

"Part of this is to help revitalize the CBD, so we're not doing a new build," she said, adding that they hoped to be up and running by the third quarter of 2017.

The McGarvies started their current operation in August 2013, which has eight co-work spaces, and rebranded all their activities under the Firestation name in May last year.

"We've been full for the last 12 months and get frequent inquiries from people who want to come into our space," she said. "This was always a test to see whether there was a demand and a need, and that's now been fully established."

Innovation House will offer a mix of long-term tenant, member and casual use facilities. There will be a range of packages providing a set number of days of use for hot desks and meeting room hours.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick described the proposed hub as very exciting.

"It's an idea whose time has come," she said.

"They've seen a market gap and are filling it. This is what we all said - it won't be retail that necessarily returns life into the heart of the city, it will be other businesses. This ticks all the boxes."

Mrs Chadwick added that the Innovation House proposal matched where the council was going with the Smart Learning Community and other digital developments.

Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Darrin Walsh said the concept was a good one.

"Rotorua is currently experiencing good business growth and there is demand for co-working space," he said. "As a start up business, it's very important to source affordable premises in the incubation stages and to be around like-minded people."

Innovation House will offer:

• Co-Working - providing desks for start-ups, freelancers and businesses.
• Business Hub - with key business support services located in the facility.
• Events amenities - for business events, conferences and networking.
• Incubator/accelerator - to help launch, grow and scale businesses.
• Business programmes - to improve quality, service and success of our local businesses.