Bulk retail site Homebase shopping centre is set to undergo a major expansion that will make it the biggest retail site in Christchurch.

Currently home to a Bunnings and 14 retail tenants who occupy approximately 17,500sq m of space in Shirley, vacant land to the north of the existing shopping centre has been rezoned for large format retail following a plan change that will allow for another 24,000sq m of development.

This change allows for a supermarket and department store, among other tenants.

No commitments have been made at this stage, but discussions are ongoing with a wide variety of potential retailers.

The development will be built in two stages with the first stage opening in late 2024 and the second stage targeted for late 2025.

Reefville Properties, owned by Christchurch brothers Glen and Max Percasky, will oversee the development, while Colliers will provide consultancy, master planning advice, and undertake the leasing of the site.

The Percasky brothers previously developed The Palms shopping centre in the 1990s.

Evan Harris, National Retail Property Consultant at Colliers said “the Homebase catchment is a very broad catchment running from Belfast in the north across to Northlands and then all the way down the eastern side of Christchurch to Heathcote and Sumner.”

The large format retail zoning provides for tenancies of a minimum of 450sq m each, other than some food and service tenants.

The expanded centre is expected to have several major tenants plus a variety of mid-size large-format retail operators, as well as a strong food and beverage presence.

“I know people will be keen to find out who will operate from this shopping centre, and we hope to be in a position to announce key tenancies over the coming months,” Harris said.

“We have had considerable interest among prospective tenants, which is incredibly encouraging, and we look forward to delivering an outstanding offering that locals can be proud of and will be eager to shop at.”