Opportunity in an empty shell

When a local greengrocer closed its doors in 2024, the once bustling building at 4 Champion Road became vacant. To the passerby, it was an empty cool store.  Outdated, past its best before date and filled with ageing food processing rooms and abandoned butcheries.

We saw fundamentals: a gateway location, generous parking, and untapped potential. With direct access to busy major arterial routes and a rapidly growing residential corridor on its doorstep, the site had everything needed to create a new commercial precinct. Its generous proportions, solid structure, loading zones and mezzanine floors provided a foundation for reinvention.

We stripped out the old food processing fitout and cleared redundant chiller spaces. Engineers redesigned and infilled unused areas to create additional lettable space. Architects reshaped the facades to give the building a clean, contemporary identity while staying true to its industrial character. Building functionality and systems were modernised, and outdated EPS panelling was replaced to remove fire risk and improve long term resilience.

Inside, designers reconfigured the building into three ground floor tenancies and two expansive mezzanine office suites, each with generous access and services.

These spaces were purpose built for modern operators: high studs, efficient layouts, quality amenities, and office areas with remarkable views stretching from Tasman Bay to the Richmond Ranges.

Anytime Fitness secured the largest ground floor tenancy bringing a high quality international gym to the Nelson Tasman region.

SLR Consulting committed to a large first floor office supported by a premium fitout that reflects their sustainability values. Zink cafe and BBQ continues to serve the community with great coffee and a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Then came the question of identity. We considered the location, the opportunity, and the vision driving the project and kept returning to the significance of the name Champion Road.

Images taken under construction in December 2025.