Landscape and urban design planner Baxter Design Group and Christchurch-based firm Nott Architects have joined hands with Ray White Queenstown to launch their latest project, Project Silo, which aims to revive and reinvent the look of Gorge Road, Queenstown, and transform it into a creative and urban hub.

Located within the Gorge Road business zone, Silo is a short walk to the Queenstown CBD and along the public transport route. Plans for the 3,000 square metre premium site include a double-storey, road-front building, three storeys to the rear  as well as a large shared parking area with extensive parking for hospitality, retail, industrial and office activities.

Silo will kick-start the regeneration of Gorge Road

Real-estate agent and development manager of Ray White Queenstown, Buzz Scown, is currently negotiating with a number of potential tenants. The current list of applicants includes café and restaurant owners, graphic designers, architects and an art gallery.

“Silo will invigorate and energise the area and become the cool, quirky and on-trend place to work and visit. We’re bringing inner city urban to Queenstown with an industrial edge. There’s nothing like this in the area,” he said. “Now is the time for potential tenants to step forward and help shape the look and feel of the area. We’re attracting innovative, edgy companies that fit the industrial look we’re creating.”

Concept sketch of Silo in Gorge Road

Silo aims to epitomise the early European industrial style currently seen in some of the more cutting-edge mixed-use development markets in the UK and the US. Architect Charlie Nott says, “Silo is a unique proposition that perfectly marries modern high-tech construction with industrial design that stays true to the area’s heritage.”

Silo will attract quirky, chic companies in keeping with the industrial vibe

Baxter Design Group director Paddy Baxter explains, “[Silo will be] functional with an industrial and quirky feel, where building forms are broken up with different material treatments and gable forms to reduce the perceived feel of bulk and scale. Silo has a crisp design and will be an eclectic development which is people-friendly and will open up the area once again.”

He added, “Detailing is being discussed further with individual tenants though we anticipate that the signage and the general site character, while being controlled, will be random and industrial in appearance, giving the impression of refurbishment over time.”

The trio has already scoured the country for recycled materials, which will be used in the high-tech buildings to create an urban industrial look and feel. The construction is expected to begin in June 2014 and last one year.