Media Release
19.9.2014
Foodstuffs’ former South Island distribution hub to become impressive warehouse complex
Foodstuffs’ former South Island distribution hub is one of the largest warehouse buildings in Christchurch and is set to
become an impressive new warehouse and distribution complex with structural upgrades and architectural offices to be
added by the new owners.
The former Christchurch dry goods distribution hub for supermarket giant Foodstuffs includes an impressive 17,200 square
metre warehouse with 2,300 square metre canopy located on 31,000 square metres of land in the Christchurch city-fringe
suburb of Papanui.
The property was sold by Foodstuffs earlier this year and purchased by a privately-owned Christchurch property
investment group who own other existing large-scale commercial, industrial and retail property holdings in the city.
Foodstuffs has outgrown the current site and is moving to a considerably larger facility in Christchurch.
The Papanui warehouse complex is well located and has excellent connections to the main arterial routes across
Christchurch. The building has large span portal frames of 21metres and a stud height of eight metres, which made the
premises ideal as Foodstuffs’ dry goods warehousing centre for the entire upper and central South Island.
Since selling the property, structural strengthening plans have been completed to bring the warehouse up to 100 percent
of the latest building codes. Architectural plans have also been prepared to subdivide the existing single warehouse
into five separate smaller warehouses – ranging in size from 1,640 square metres to 7,560 square metres.
Each of the resulting new warehouses will have its own secure access, yard area, loadings bays, and the option of ground
and first floor offices of flexible size and configuration.
Construction of the structural works is planned to begin in October 2014 - immediately after Foodstuffs has relocated
from the premises, with the warehouses being ready for occupation from early 2015. These five warehouse units are now
being marketed for lease through Bayleys Canterbury.
Salesperson Stewart White said that as a rebuild and refurbishment location, floor space at the Papanui warehousing
complex would be considerably cheaper per square metre than most new-build destinations where land prices and
construction rates are pushing rents to record levels.
The building has a floor loading capacity of up to 4.5 tonnes per/square metre, precast concrete walls to 4 metres with
braced steel girts and metal cladding above, and long run metal roofing. The land currently has a Business 4 zoning
suitable for warehousing, distribution, freight, storage or other industrial activities.
“We envisage likely tenants will be small to medium size freight or logistics-orientated businesses, or light
manufacturing or industrial companies. Alternatively, the entire property could be leased on very favorable terms to a
single tenant and would make an excellent base for a larger operator, or a company wanting staged take up or future
expansion space.” Mr White said.
“All five units will have access to a substantial sealed yard immediately in front of their roller doors, with a
significant adjoining grassed area that can be converted into additional vehicle parking if required.
“Over the past three years, much of Christchurch’s rebuilt warehousing stock has relocated further out from the city
centre to the likes of Wigram, Hornby and Izone in Rolleston where land is more abundant. The former Foodstuffs hub is
certainly the biggest property of its type this close to the periphery of the Christchurch central business district.
“New tenants have the option of retaining and utilising Foodstuffs’ existing pallet and box racking infrastructure
(including five-pallet-high racking and in-rack sprinklers) within their refurbished premises – offering a considerable
saving on set-up costs.”
ENDS