MBIE joins KiwiRail at Blue Mountains Campus
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has signed a lease for 1,300 square metres in Stage One of the $100 million Blue Mountains Campus project in the Hutt Valley.
Developed by Willis Bond, the campus is one of Government Property Group’s new regional hubs and has been designed to accommodate other government agencies. In signing the lease, MBIE joins state-owned enterprise KiwiRail, which is leasing 2,700 square metres and building a new train control room at the campus.
Onsite works are well underway with the KiwiRail and MBIE teams set to occupy their new premises in early 2023.
To celebrate the announcement, the Hon. Chris Hipkins, MP for Remutaka, visited the site on Friday 6 May to view how works are progressing and see the scale of the 36,000 square metre campus.
(Left to right): David McGuinness, Managing Director (Development) for Willis Bond, the Hon. Chris Hipkins, MP for Remutaka and Wayne Silver, Managing Director (Funds & Finance) for Willis Bond - exploring the Buddle Building, which is part of Stage 1 of the campus.
David McGuinness, Willis Bond’s Managing Director (Development), says 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 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 Green Star and NABERSNZ rated buildings, strong public transport links and great onsite amenity, all within an attractive green setting.
We are delighted that MBIE has chosen Blue Mountains Campus as its local regional hub and we hope to welcome other government agencies who are also looking for best-in-class property solutions that meet the needs of their people in the wider Wellington area,” says McGuinness.
The campus offers flexible, modern spaces with floorplates ranging from 450 square metres to 2,500 square metres and the ability for tenants to design and build their own bespoke premises. Tenants can also give early input into the design process to ensure their premises will cater for easy co-location with associated businesses or agencies.
The campus will also offer a host of onsite amenities including a large café, co-working space, generous end-of-trip facilities with showers and lockers, e-vehicle charging, health and wellness options and neighbouring childcare facilities.
“Being a regional business hub, the end-of-trip facilities and on-site amenities were top priority when we designed the campus, to ensure it is an attractive and inviting place, that people want to work,” says McGuinness.
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.
Expressions of interest are being sought for the final available 1,600 square metres of Stage One office space and 140 square metre café space, plus retail and office opportunities in later stages. Full details are available at bluemountainscampus.co.nz or via theresa@willisbond.co.nz.
