Woolworths Nelson Junction

We returned to Nelson Junction, a retail development we completed in March 2024, to build a new Woolworths supermarket. The supermarket comprises a ground floor area of 3,800 square metres and a 270 square metre mezzanine, complete with a dedicated space for packing all the online delivery orders for the Nelson region.

We were engaged on an ECI basis to fast-track the structural shop drawings, collaborating with the consultants and suppliers to resolve clashes so we could hit the ground running with an expedited 11-month build programme. We also started procurement early to maintain momentum and avoid cost escalations, storing materials off-site until we needed them.

The main material delay we encountered was the refrigeration rack, which took longer than expected to arrive from Europe. The large, heavy racking would usually be lifted in before the roof is installed, but we lifted it in to the mezzanine plant room from inside the building to keep the programme on track.

With the client targeting a 4 Green Star rating, we used low carbon concrete mixes for the foundation and procured low carbon reinforcement and structural steel. We also kept a close eye on waste, comfortably achieving our target of 70%+ waste diversion by using all available recycling and reuse pathways, working with the supply chain to repurpose packaging and dunnage, and educating everyone on site on waste separation.

We worked alongside Woolworths to facilitate a smooth transition with their specialist fitout contractors, ensuring most of the fitout was complete by project completion. This gave them three weeks to stock the shelves before the store opened.