Retail Project Results

H T M L Code
National Category Winner:

Project: Mānawa Bay

Entrant

Savory Construction Limited

Project Partners

Auckland International Airport Ltd (Project Manager), Day Consultants Ltd (Structural Engineer), DHC Consulting Group Ltd (Engineer), Eclipse Architecture Ltd (Architect/Designer), Electrical Consulting Services Ltd (Electrical Engineer), RDT Pacific (Project Manager), Rider Levett Bucknall Auckland Ltd (Quantity Surveyor), Savory Construction (Construction Company), Taylor Robinson Chaney Broderick (Architect/Designer), Thurston Consulting Ltd (Engineer)

Owned By

Auckland International Airport Limited

Manawa Bay anchors the Auckland Airport precinct with a large-scale retail development delivered under significant operational and environmental constraints. Height-restricted cranage, complex seismic requirements, and high-voltage infrastructure demanded disciplined planning and close consultant coordination from the outset. A defining feature is New Zealand’s largest rooftop solar array, secured using a bespoke Helios bracket system integrated into a redesigned warm roof assembly to meet stringent wind-load requirements. More than 900 metres of guttering were prefabricated off site to reduce installation time and maintain programme certainty. With over 1,000 workers on site during peak fitout, health and safety systems evolved alongside the build, including multiple revisions to the site-specific safety plan. Environmental stewardship extended to estuary protection and dotterel nesting management, while prefabricated counselling rooms donated to a local school reflect the project’s wider community contribution.

Judges comments

Manawa Bay is a retail project with complexity at every turn, and Savory Construction brought it together with impressive control. Significant in scale, it delivered 35,000 square metres of retail and 45,000 square metres of carparking, while also responding carefully to a sensitive site. Before construction began, the team had to relocate eels and work around endangered dotterels, lizards, and other artefacts. Sustainability was another standout, with Manawa Bay becoming New Zealand’s first 5 Star Green Star retail project, supported by 4,000 solar panels and rainwater harvesting for bathrooms. Delivered during one of the busiest construction periods in recent years, and on an isolated site, the project still came in on time and on budget.

 

Project: PaknSave Rolleston

Entrant

Naylor Love Canterbury

Project Partners

McCoy and Wixon Architects (Architect/Designer), Naylor Love Canterbury (Construction Company), Pedersen Read (Electrical Engineer), Powell Fenwick (Structural Engineer), Savills New Zealand (Project Manager)

Owned By

Foodstuffs South Island

Pak’nSAVE Rolleston progressed two months ahead of its original programme following early alignment between Naylor Love and Foodstuffs South Island. Accelerated mobilisation required immediate procurement, early completion of shop drawings, and coordinated trade engagement to protect programme certainty from the outset. Foundation works were challenged by sustained wet weather, prompting overlapping task sequencing, offsite reinforcement prefabrication, and detailed micro-planning to maintain productivity. Concurrent road upgrades demanded ongoing interface management to ensure safe and reliable site access. Commissioning required careful coordination of refrigeration, IT, racking, signage, and staff training within a live retail environment. With 70% waste diversion and integrated LED and solar PV systems, the completed store reflects disciplined acceleration and collaborative delivery under pressure.

 

Project: The Pavilion

Entrant

Cook Brothers Construction

Project Partners

Baxter Design (Landscape Architect) (Architect/Designer), BBD (Quantity Surveyor), Cook Brothers Construction (Construction Company), ENGCO Consulting Engineers (Structural Engineer), Ignite Architects (Architect/Designer)

Owned By

Queenstown Central Limited

Blending rustic character with contemporary flair, The Pavilion delivers a hospitality space that’s both refined and rooted in place. The façade, crafted from acid-washed corrugated iron and Australian hardwood, was meticulously finished to evoke the natural patina of Central Otago’s landscapes. Inside, two suspended gas fires above carved Timaru bluestone rocks create a dramatic focal point. Despite complex logistics, imported materials, and a mid-build design shift, Cook Brothers Construction maintained momentum through early contractor involvement and strong consultant collaboration. Challenges like craning under Queenstown Airport’s flight path were carefully navigated with rigorous planning. This project marks a milestone as the first Queenstown Central development led by a local contractor, an achievement that pairs regional pride with exceptional execution.

 

Project: Kinfields Village - Stage 2

Entrant

Foster Construction Group Ltd

Project Partners

APG Architects ltd (Architect/Designer), BCD Group Limited (Structural Engineer), Fluid Engineering Consultancy (Engineer), Foster Construction Group Ltd (Project Manager/Quantity Surveyor), Veros Property Services (Project Manager)

Kinfields Village – Stage 2 evolved significantly during delivery, shifting from a two-storey concept to a single-level retail layout in response to market demand. Through early contractor involvement, the team recalibrated design and staging without compromising cost certainty or programme, ultimately completing the development three weeks ahead of schedule and under budget. Located opposite Hamilton Christian School, the site required careful management of vehicle movements, noise, and public safety throughout construction. Enabling works were strategically advanced to mitigate known ground moisture risks, protecting long-term building performance. BIM supported coordination from design through to completion, reinforcing transparency and build efficiency. The finished development reflects disciplined planning and adaptable delivery in a fast-moving commercial environment.

 

Project: Bakehouse, Ayrburn

Entrant

Cook Brothers Construction

Project Partners

Cook Brothers Construction (Construction Company), ENGCO Consulting Engineers (Structural Engineer), QUBE Consultants Ltd (Quantity Surveyor), S.A Studio (Architect/Designer)

Owned By

Winton Land Limited

In the centre of Ayrburn’s tourism precinct, The Bakehouse required minute-by-minute coordination from the outset. Built on a newly formed platform bordered by a stream and accessed by a single road, every delivery, lift, and trade movement was carefully choreographed around public activity. Spanning 886m² and bringing together a restaurant, café, butchery, rotisserie, and retail space, the building was crafted to feel as though it had always belonged. Australian hardwood trusses were lifted into place from beneath the roofline, while recycled metal ceilings, aged finishes, and hand-selected European tiles reinforce its heritage character. Even the roof was intentionally weathered to evoke history while retaining full performance warranties. Delivered through more than 90 approved variations, The Bakehouse is a testament to craftsmanship, adaptability, and confident collaboration.

 

Project: Zhangliang Malatang Auckland

Entrant

Unique constructions Ltd

Project Partners

Archimode (Interior Designer/Architect), Diamond Quality Construction (Construction Company), Flamingo Music workshop (Construction Company), Go Sing (Construction Company), JNG (Structural Engineer), KCL (Construction Company), KNK (Construction Company), LK Tiling (Construction Company), Prestige Tiles (Construction Company), Soon Sun (Electrical Engineer), True colour Kitchen (Construction Company), UCL Commercial (Project Manager)

Zhangliang Malatang Auckland sets a new standard for international restaurant fit outs in New Zealand. Delivered as a global flagship on Dominion Road, Unique Constructions Ltd transformed a constrained site into a bold, high-tech dining experience, overcoming major structural and logistical challenges along the way. When a central block wall was deemed untouchable due to seismic risk, UCL’s review of legacy documentation proved it was non-structural, unlocking the full spatial potential of the design.   The fit-out introduced finishes never used locally. These included brushed aluminium and copper panels, flexible stone bulkheads, transparent cement joinery with fibre-optic lighting and a customised duo-screen rotating LED display. These elements required close coordination with international suppliers, extensive on-site testing, and precise execution. Every detail was purpose-built to create an immersive dining atmosphere, where innovation meets artistry.

 

Project: Murchison Four Square

Entrant

Scott Construction Ltd

Project Partners

Arthouse Architects (Architect/Designer), Foodstuffs South Island Limited (Client Representative), Scott Construction (Construction Company), Vector Structural Engineers (Engineer)

Owned By

Foodstuffs (South Island) Properties Limtied

Murchison Four Square marks the South Island’s first Foodstuffs “Project 4.0” supermarket, delivered through a contractor-led design and build model in a challenging regional setting. Ground contamination, the absence of a public stormwater main, and limited local waste infrastructure required practical engineering responses, including driven timber piles and a rigid concrete carpark system that avoided large-scale excavation. Offsite-manufactured façade and insulated roof panels accelerated enclosure ahead of winter. Severe flooding in the Tasman District during the final stages caused road closures and power outages, yet the team maintained programme certainty through disciplined planning and local coordination. With strong regional subcontractor involvement and a full-time on-site management presence, the completed supermarket provides a resilient and carefully executed community asset.

 

Project: St Pierre's Heretaunga Street

Entrant

Integrating Architecture Ltd

Project Partners

AgFIrst Consultants HB Ltd (Engineer), Archimatter (Architect/Designer), Initia Geotechnical Specialists (Engineer), Integrating Architecture (Project Manager), Kotahi Studio (Structural Engineer), Stead Construction (Construction Company)

Owned By

Heretaunga Buildings Limited

Once a vacant, problem corner on a busy intersection, St Pierre’s Heretaunga Street is now a sharp new retail landmark. But getting there meant tackling serious ground issues. The site was heavily contaminated, with constant surprises below the surface including buried fuel tanks, old pipes, concrete slabs and service pits, even after detailed pre-purchase testing. Stead Construction split the works in two, separating the building from the earthworks so remediation could move quickly. Contaminated soil was carefully stockpiled and tested, with disposal costs locked in early to avoid programme blowouts. Services added another layer, including relocating major power cables and installing a new pump station to overcome sewer level constraints. Despite significant cost pressures, the team stayed solutions focused. With strong council backing and committed stakeholders throughout, a long-neglected gateway site has been transformed into a clean, modern destination the community can be proud of.

 

Project: Freshchoice Tinwald

Entrant

Calder Stewart Construction Limited

Project Partners

Calder Stewart Construction (Architect/Designer/Construction Company/Project Manager/Quantity Surveyor), Carrfields Property Ltd (Client Representative), E2 Environmental (Civil Engineer), Nind Electrical Services Christchurch LTD (Electrical Engineer), Richards Consulting Engineers (Engineer)

Owned By

Carrfields Property Limited

FreshChoice Tinwald marks a significant step forward in supermarket development, designed as a flagship model for future stores nationwide. Early contractor involvement enabled Calder Stewart to refine sequencing and buildability from the outset, aligning programme and cost with the client’s long-term vision. The site presented practical challenges, including asbestos contamination and a high-water table, requiring early engineering input to maintain safety and momentum. Working closely with the structural engineer, the team rethought conventional design approaches to create a more efficient structure that reduced material use and environmental impact without compromising quality. Delivered safely and within budget, the project establishes a repeatable, cost-effective model for sustainable supermarket construction across New Zealand.

 

Project: Coffee Culture Rangiora

Entrant

C+W Construction 2023 limited

Project Partners

C+W Construction (Construction Company), Hamilton Projects (Seismic Engineer), Hierarchy Group (Architect/Designer)

Owned By

Coffee Culture

Coffee Culture Rangiora required precision and adaptability from the outset. Working within a heritage setting where final dimensions were unknown until demolition was complete, the team progressed joinery and detailing without full documentation, resolving issues in real time as existing conditions were uncovered. Early engagement more than a year before construction enabled cost planning and grounded decision-making as the design evolved. Once on site, meetings every two days-maintained alignment and momentum, particularly as rework was required following demolition. Intricate bespoke finishes and carefully crafted joinery bring heritage character and modern performance together in a compact hospitality space. The completed café reflects disciplined coordination and confident delivery under changing conditions.

 

Project: The Railyard, Christchurch

Entrant

Kirk Roberts Consulting

Project Partners

EStructures (Construction Company), Burke Electrical Limited (Electrical Engineer), Kirk Roberts Consulting (Architect/Designer/Project Manager), Nick Eagle & Rhodes and Associates (Quantity Surveyor)

Owned By

Tower Road Rail Precinct Limited (TRPL)

The Railyard is a bold retail development in Christchurch’s Hornby precinct, entirely designed and delivered by Kirk Roberts Consulting. Featuring exposed steel, precast concrete, and Kingspan warm-roof systems, the project balances striking architecture with seismic resilience and sustainability. Despite COVID-19 disruptions and complex ground conditions, the team maintained quality through agile management, digital coordination tools, and a collaborative Construction Management model. Stage 2 built on Stage 1’s success, further streamlining delivery and enhancing performance. Key sustainability features include a high-performance thermal envelope and flexible clear-span design for long-term adaptability. Anchored by Wang’s Food Market, The Railyard has transformed a disused site into a vibrant retail hub, setting a benchmark for resilient, multi-disciplinary commercial development in Canterbury.