The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is the latest tenant to join Willis Bond’s $100 million Blue Mountains Campus project in the Hutt Valley.
The MBIE has signed a lease for 1300sq m in Stage One of the $100 million Blue Mountains Campus project in Upper Hutt.
The project is one of Government Property Group’s new regional hubs, and has been designed to accommodate other government agencies.
It joins state-owned enterprise KiwiRail, which is leasing 2700sq m and building a new train control room at the campus. The KiwiRail and MBIE teams are set to occupy their new premises in early 2023.
Willis Bond managing director (development) David McGuinness says the MBIE’s decision to lease space at Blue Mountains reinforces how the campus’ location, design and amenities suit the needs of a wide range of public and private organisations.
“We’ve worked hard to make sure that Blue Mountains Campus delivers what forward-thinking organisations like MBIE and KiwiRail need for their businesses and their people — a resilient hub with sustainable NABERSNZ and Green Star-rated buildings, strong public transport links and great onsite amenity, all within an attractive green setting,” McGuinness says.
Developed by Willis Bond, the Upper Hutt business campus includes a mix of strengthened existing buildings and new, sustainable commercial buildings designed to complement businesses already in Wellington’s CBD.
The campus’ new low-rise timber buildings feature very large efficient floors suited to large businesses or co-location of multiple organisations, which are due to be available from 2023.
“In addition to its natural resiliency, all the campus’ new buildings target minimum 5-Star Green Star and NABERSNZ ratings.
“This means that by design, these facilities will reduce embodied carbon and operational emissions, use less water and power, and cost less to run, all while being very comfortable and light with exceptional connections to an established green outlook,” McGuinness says.
The site offers flexible, modern spaces with floorplates ranging from 450sq m to 2500sq m, and the ability for tenants to design and build their own bespoke premises.
There is also a host of onsite amenities, including a large cafe, co-working space, generous end-of-trip facilities with showers and lockers, e-vehicle charging, health and wellness options, and neighbouring childcare facilities.
The $100 million regional project is anticipated to generate local economic activity in excess of $250 million through job creation and greater opportunity, including the creation of 200 jobs and 20 new apprenticeships.
