Project

The River Crossing Ltd project in Ashburton is a retail and hospitality development designed to serve the Mid-Canterbury region, anchored by a Kmart store. The project aimed to create a dynamic shopping destination, combining retail, food, and beverage services in a modern, accessible space.

Key Features of the Project:

• Main Retail Building:
  The Kmart store is the focal point, covering 3,600m² of retail space, offering an expansive and inviting shopping experience. The store includes a 880m² back-of-house area for stock delivery and distribution, as well as staff offices and amenities. This Kmart store is the 26th in New Zealand, showcasing their new sales floor layout that will be rolled out across the country to enhance the shopping experience.


• Design Process:
  A set of control drawings and design specifications from Kmart were incorporated into the project. Thompson used these specifications and their own construction methodology to create the final design. Frequent communication with the client ensured smooth coordination throughout the build.


• Site Layout:
  Kmart Entrance: The store's main entry features a glazed wind lobby with polished concrete floors, welcoming customers into the store.
  Food and Beverage Tenancies: Smaller tenancies adjacent to the Kmart store offer a variety of food and beverage options. Exposed aggregate concrete paths connect them to the main store, while glazed shopfronts add an inviting touch.
  Standalone Building: A separate building with five tenancies features a north-facing outdoor area for seating and dining. This structure also has 290m² of exposed aggregate paths and ply soffits overhanging the entrances, creating an attractive space for visitors.


• Site and Exterior: On the south-east boundary, concrete precast retaining walls and stair units, along with handrails, tie the two buildings together and provide a cohesive and finished look to the site.

The River Crossing project has been well-received by the Ashburton community and is expected to be a valuable asset to the region. It provides a blend of retail, dining, and leisure options, catering to the local population and visitors from the broader Mid and South Canterbury areas.