Demand for prime retail space in central Queenstown has increased, but new industrial leasings have slowed, a commercial real estate agent says.
Marty Barwood, of Bayleys Queenstown, said there had always been inquiries about commercial premises, but now they were coming from operators prepared to sign on the dotted line.
A "major, major increase in activity" started about six weeks ago, which Mr Barwood attributed to a general feeling of confidence in New Zealand, particularly in the town.
"If I had half a dozen supreme prime retail spaces, I'd sell them."
Mr Barwood said there had been a "total mixture" of inquiries from predominantly independent New Zealand operators, who were mostly new to town and interested in retail and food outlets.
Supreme prime rents on Queenstown Mall, Beach St and Shotover St had risen to $1200 per sq m, the level of about a year ago, he said.
