Blue Mountains Campus

Blue Mountains Campus is a 36,000sqm development intended to meet increasing demand for flexible commercial and retail space within the Wellington region. Set on the former AgResearch site in Upper Hutt, the five-hectare campus will include three new buildings designed to 130 percent of the new building standard, the refurbishment and strengthening of three existing buildings, and landscaped public spaces.

Developed by Willis Bond, the $100m+ Campus will be the region’s first purpose-built, resilient commercial hub. Designed to boost the region’s commercial profile following the Kaikoura earthquake, the campus features a strong resilience profile, with no risk of flooding, tsunami or slope failure, a low shaking and liquefaction risk, strong roading and public transport options, and robust infrastructure. Similarly, with its sustainable, modern and modernised buildings, park-like setting and multiple employee amenities, the campus aspires to be a place people want to work.

The Campus is designed to be world-class for sustainable operation and energy efficiency, with the Buddle Building and new buildings targeting a 5 Star Green Star rating and a 5 Star NABERSNZ rating.

RCP is the project manager, working with Willis Bond and the contractor on all aspects of the job. The team brings its unrivalled experience of complex projects and focus on quality to the table.

The Campus is being delivered in four stages, the first two of which are complete. Stage one involved strengthening and refurbishing the existing 4,700sqm Buddle Building and delivering a bespoke state-of-the-art 1,300sqm train control room for KiwiRail. Stage two has seen two heritage buildings developed on site, and stages three and four will deliver modern, low-rise timber-framed buildings.

The Campus development, which aims to generate more than $250m of economic activity, is part of a new and exciting revitalisation story for Upper Hutt. So new in fact that, to start, the Council only had one consenting officer with the experience and confidence to work on this size development. Gaining the Council’s trust and buy in for its approach was an important focus for RCP. The team has done well, with the bulk of the consents approved to date and a good relationship established with the Council.