Harvard Hub is situated just off the city’s southern motorway in the heart of Wigram, just six kilometres from the Christchurch CBD.
The new commercial and business park sits alongside Christchurch’s biggest residential subdivision, Wigram Skies, soon to be home to a full-size shopping centre and around 1800 homes.
Consisting of 22 stylish individual units spread over five buildings, Harvard Hub caters for a range of businesses, from service and distribution storage to trades, professional offices, light manufacturers and a cafe.
It is located near key transport links, including a new $30m overpass linking southwest Christchurch to the central city and Blenheim Road.
The development was constructed by the Christchurch branch of award-winning South Island Registered Master Builders company Amalgamated Builders (ABL), and project managed by property investment company TPI Ltd.
TPI Ltd director Lindsey Topp, an experienced Arrowtown-based property developer, said he was “delighted” to welcome the public to Harvard Hub and open up for business.
“It’s a very exciting time for this part of Christchurch as we’re seeing huge growth and development supported by new transport links,” he says.
“We have a good mix of businesses which offer a diverse range of services to complement the surrounding residential and commercial markets.”
Businesses located at Harvard Hub include eatery and coffee shop Meshino Cafe, real estate agent Ray White Metro, cleaners Wisdom Commercial Cleaning, electrical company Safepower Service Ltd, import and packaging company World Wide Imports, communications specialists Quasar Systems Ltd, long-established southern company Foley Plumbing, growing local firm Mainland Roofing, and also the high-profile Champions of the World.
On-site car parking adds to ease of access for customers, while extensive landscaping using native species and well-lit footpaths is designed to complement the adjoining residential development.
ABL director Peter Corkery said Harvard Hub addressed a need in the area for warehouse and office space, with Meshino Cafe being the “icing on the cake” for passing commuters and on-site workers.
“From day dot, it was an enjoyable project to be part of. The process was seamless, from design stage right through to hand-over, and we’re proud to put our name to it,” he said.
“Wigram is on a high right now, and this development ticks all the boxes.”
ABL had more than 30 tradesmen on site at Harvard Hub over the 18-month build, and is currently experiencing a period of significant growth within the Christchurch market, with several multi-million dollar commercial projects underway.
Gavin Ryan of commercial property sales and leasing specialists Glass Miles Commercial, who has been involved with Harvard Hub since its inception, supports Mr Corkery’s comments, saying the improved “connectivity” of Wigram has been a selling point for investors, owner occupiers and tenants alike.
“We’ve seen a good number of sales, based from only the plans, which was extremely encouraging at the start of the design phase,” he said.
“The new ‘Landing’ retail precinct in the adjoining Wigram Skies residential development, the Christchurch City Council-inspired new flyover link currently under construction, and the Harvard Hub development itself will see a transition of people moving west. Wigram will become the new Sydenham.”
Mr Ryan has signed a number of leases and agreements with a range of owner-occupiers and investors, with some tenants signing up for a seven-year initial lease period.
He is now experiencing strong interest in the four remaining first-floor units still available for sale or lease.
“For office occupiers, it isn’t always ideal to show them around a busy building site, so we’ve been lucky enough to be able show them a unit on Blenheim Road, adjacent to the ABL offices.
“This complex was also built by ABL and designed by DD Architects — the Harvard Hub designers — which has been very helpful during the sales and leasing process.
“We’ve received extremely positive feedback. Owners and tenants like the separate pod designs, which provide a trade access at the back and customer/client access from the front. They’re delighted to see that the units also boast plentiful natural light, great access and, of course, the on-site cafe.”
