Key construction milestones are being reached at Tauranga Crossing, signalling major progress in the region's largest retail development.

SunLive reporter Sam Gardner experienced a tour of the development on Wednesday morning guided by Tauranga Crossing CEO, Steve Lewis, Hawkins project director Martin Kernighan and other key parties involved in the project.

The tour started at stage two which has been split into sections 2a and 2b.

Foundations, floors and ceiling installations are nearly complete for the first half of the section and work is progressing well for the final parts of stage two.

More than 3,000 tonnes of steel is being used throughout the entire development, which is more structural steel than used to construct Auckland's Sky Tower, and more than 2,200 tonnes is solely being used on stage two.

More than 3,000 tonnes of steel is being used throughout the entire development.

Steve says the construction of Tauranga Crossing alone has created hundreds of new jobs, with more retail and restaurant positions to come.

'Close to 250 tradies are currently working on site, making use of up to four cranes and laying 30,000m3 of concrete and 25,000m2 of roofing in order to add a further 18,000 sqm of trading space to the development.

'A further 250 shopfitters will also join the site once retailers and restaurateurs have been confirmed, bringing the total construction staffing for Stage Two alone up to 500.

'Tauranga Crossing's total investment in Stage Two of the mall is well in excess of $150 million dollars making it the largest building project in the Bay of Plenty region.”

Stage one of the development opened in 2016 and comprises over 20 stores including The Warehouse, Pak'n Save, Noel Leeming and Warehouse Stationery.

The next stage, 2a, builds on this and features an enclosed shopping centre which has been designed by Warren and Mahoney to be an ‘experiential' retail offer.

'The new shopping mall follows the unparalleled success of the stores that opened at the retail hub, which since September 2016 has welcomed millions of happy customers, most recently Ezibuy who announced their opening at the centre earlier this month was an outstanding success,” says Steve.

He says the enclosed shopping area is set to be completed on October 4 and will give customers a taste of what they can also expect from 2b which opens in April 2019.

On completion, 2b will include further shopping and dining options across two levels in an enclosed shopping centre along with an Entertainment Precinct, anchored by Event Cinemas.

The cinema complex will comprise of six screens, more 1,000 seats and the only Vmax screen in the Bay of Plenty.

'We have assembled a team of retail development specialists, with strong experience in the development of shopping centres in New Zealand, to deliver a highly attractive retail environment with elements that are unique to Tauranga Crossing,” says Steve.

'The new development will not just be seen as a mall but as a vibrant hub for the community offering a place to shop, catch a movie or have a meal with friends and family.”

Along with the retail offering, Tauranga Crossing will also be home to a two-level dining precinct featuring 15 casual dining options, an al-fresco dining terrace overlooking a sun-drenched north facing outdoor garden area designed specifically with families in mind.

'International and national retailers will feature in the new shopping centre.

'Up to 70 additional fashion, apparel and general merchandise retailers will take the total number of stores and restaurants to more than 100, which will be serviced by more than 1,500 free carparks.

'In addition, Tauranga Crossing Limited is also developing a 23,000sqm lifestyle centre on a staged basis, which is directly opposite the shopping centre on Taurikura Drive.”

The lifestyle centre will offer large format retail, with Gilmours Wholesale Food & Beverage already open and a Farmers Department Store and Bed Bath & Beyond Homestore on track to open early September.

An aerial shot of the Tauranga Crossing development site.

'Once stage two of Tauranga Crossing is completed the complex will provide 45,000sqm of lettable area.

'On final completion, which is expected in the next few years, the Tauranga Crossing complex is expected to provide a total of 70,000m² of floor space, which will be the largest retail and entertainment destination in the region.

A timelapse video showing the progress which has been made so far.