Retail growth reflects Queenstown’s standing

Retail growth reflects Queenstown’s standing

The continued growth of Queenstown as an international destination is reflected in exciting retail development within the award-winning Sofitel building.

The centrally located Duke Street complex is already home to New Zealand’s first Sofitel and Queenstown’s first five star hotel, three restaurants, a stunning bar, a flower workshop, an organic, fair-trade coffee shop, and a fine arts gallery.

The building’s growing reputation as the new retail and dining ‘heart’ of Queenstown will be further enhanced as several other outlets open over the next few months.

On track for September openings are two new restaurants, Spicy Bites and Chop Chop.

Spicy Bites owner and manager Aman Cheema says he will be creating a traditional Indian dining experience, with a more modern and cultural slant on the restaurant’s design.

“We’ll be offering a full range of North and South Indian dishes in our 40-seater restaurant. The visually appealing design is going to incorporate artifacts and artwork which we’ve had specially imported from India,” said Mr Cheema.

“We’ll also be offering a Queenstown first; sizzling dishes served on hot plates, fresh from the tandoor oven.”

Chop Chop will introduce a new concept to dining in Queenstown. Based on a Japanese style ramen or noodle house, Chop Chop will offer a pan-Asian menu including Vietnamese, Japanese, Malaysian and Thai favourites, with the addition of Laksa; a special signature dish of spicy noodle soup.

Building work on the 80-seat restaurant started at the end of June and owner/chef Carl Barnes is also working towards opening in September. Carl was responsible for introducing Asian fusion cuisine in nearby Arrowtown, with the 2005 opening of Automatic.

Auckland-based Perron Group, owned by Mark Perriam and Cameron Marsh, is the company behind the building development.

“Interest in the retail units in the Sofitel complex has been gaining huge momentum. Of the 16 outlets in the development, just one small unit remains which is not either currently occupied, soon to open or the subject of discussion with potential retailers,” said Perron director Mark Perriam.

“We’re really pleased to have reached this point less than a year since completing the complex.

“With two new restaurants joining the ‘foodie fold’, we’re adding to what is fast becoming known as the dining district of Queenstown. Shortly, there won’t be a style of food or bar that locals and visitors can’t find in this one vibrant location.”

Spicy Bites and Chop Chop join an established range of food and beverage outlets including Euro style bar and dining in Bezu, fine dining in Sofitel’s Vie restaurant, Fatz Cat Italian Ristorante, hot drinks and delicate pastries from Esquires coffee shop, funky metropolitan Bar Code and the intimate Sofitel Nue Lounge.

Perron Group is expected to announce the arrival of several additional non-food retailers in the Sofitel development soon, as contractual discussions are finalised.

The multi-million dollar Sofitel building netted two Awards of Merit in the international Gold Nugget property awards in San Francisco a few weeks ago, and the complex was also singled out for two Excellence Awards at the influential Property Council of New Zealand Rider Hunt Property Awards in Auckland.

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