Queenstown Research and Innovation Centre: Driving Growth and Sustainability
Situated in the heart of Remarkables Park, Queenstown, the Research and Innovation Centre is a landmark development designed to transform the region’s economic landscape. This $45 million, six-floor, 6,000m² multipurpose facility is more than just a building, it’s a hub for high-tech businesses, research entities, and commercial activities, complemented by an eight-theatre cinema complex on its lower levels.
The project is a strategic response to Queenstown’s reliance on tourism, aiming to diversify the economy by fostering high-value, low-impact industries. Backed by a $22.5 million Government loan, the centre is expected to attract world-class talent, create up to 400 long-term jobs, and provide opportunities for local upskilling. Sustainability is central to its design, with full-roof solar panels and energy-efficient systems reinforcing its commitment to environmentally responsible development.
What makes this project unique is its ambition: to serve as a “beacon” for innovation rather than a traditional incubator. It offers collaborative spaces alongside private offices, creating an environment where ideas can thrive. Located within Remarkables Park Town Centre, the Research and Innovation Centre compliments an already diverse array of retail, hospitality, and commercial activities, in an ever evolving location.
White Associates’ Role and Impact
White Associates is proud to be a key contributor to this visionary development, Quantity Surveying services across procurement, and post-contract phases. Our team, led by Elliot Smith, worked alongside the Client, Research and Innovation Queenstown Limited, The project team, comprising RCP Project Management, Mason and Wales Architects, Engeo Structural Engineers, Cosgroves, NDY Acoustic Engineers, and the Main Contractor, Cook Brothers Construction.
The project required a collaborative approach, through a negotiated, open book tender process, to enable key trades to be procured in order to meet critical funding milestones.
With the base building works now complete to the centre, the next phase of the project has commenced, with a range of tenant fitouts in the pipeline for the near future.