Auckland Airport has shared a first look at some of the tenants who will be settling in at the $200 million-plus premium outlet shopping centre, Manawa Bay, as construction continues to ramp up.
The centre is attracting a wide range of sought-after brands that include Kate Spade, Coach, PUMA, Fila, Under Armour and Flo & Frankie, amongst others, who will be bringing their offering to the precinct.
Commercial chief Mark Thomson says Auckland Airport is delighted to begin announcing the type of retailers committing to Manawa Bay, bringing a quality range of fashion, sportwear and accessories at outlet prices.
“We’re proud to be announcing some of our first stores for Manawa Bay, and thrilled with how the project’s being received by the market,” Thomson says.
Filling up fast
“The outlet centre’s filling up fast and all of our anchor sites have now been leased. Brands are gaining access to what will be New Zealand’s first purpose-built outlet shopping centre — designed and created based on what retailers require to offer the best experience possible to their customers,” he says.
Manawa Bay is a 24,000sq m outlet shopping centre being built on the water’s edge on Auckland Airport’s precinct, and is on track for opening in the second half of next year.
“The entire outlet centre is a greenfields site, designed with high quality retailing outcomes for customers and retailers.
“We’re building two loading docks for tenants to move stock into the centre, and ample additional storage capacity for retailers, making it an efficient and spacious centre for them to operate in,” Thomson says.
“We have over 1400 customer car parks directly in front of the centre, along with a dedicated pick-up and drop-off area for ride share services, taxis and buses. We also have a much larger parking network for additional capacity on busier days.
Importance of sustainability
“We know how important sustainability is to retailers, and this is at the forefront of our development — everything from the largest rooftop solar array in New Zealand to the country’s first gas-free electric food court.
The centre will house 100-plus retail brands, with stores ranging in size from 50sq m to 1500sq m.
Last year Auckland Airport broke ground on the 150,000sq m site in the north-east of the airport precinct.
Construction of the 5-Star Green purpose-built outlet centre is advanced, with foundations nearing completion, currently at 90%.
“Despite serious wet weather this year, we’re proud to say we’re still on track, running to programme.
“The building’s structural steel is 60% completed, with the roof installation following closely in behind it, and the first concrete floor pour has been done,” Thomson says.
Manawa Bay will make the most of its water-facing location, and embrace large, light-filled open spaces in the dining area, with 13 food and beverage options, and an easy-to-navigate, figure-of-eight layout for the centre.
Transport was a central consideration in the design, with opening hours (being 10am – 6pm) planned outside busy traffic times, and terminal-bound traffic prioritised. It is also conveniently located close to a main arterial route, with access to public transport options.
The park-like setting overlooking the mangroves (Manawa is one of the words for mangroves in Te Reo Maori) will see the shopping centre’s central food and beverage area freely flowing to alfresco dining and nature-inspired play spaces.
