Community empowerment through opportunity and connection
The Grace Street Project is bringing our community together with a transformative, community-led initiative in South Invercargill. It has been designed to address intergenerational disadvantage by providing access to education, employment, enterprise and connection.
Our collaboration with McCulloch Architects ensures a vibrant, multi-purpose community hub that meets the whole community’s diverse needs.
We broke ground on Stage 1 in September 2025. The support of more donors will enable us to commence Stage 2 in October 2026.
Be part of this transformative journey.
Our Goals
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A hosted community lounge, helping to build social connections, friendships and a sense of belonging
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Flexible spaces that are fit for many different purposes
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A safe and welcoming environment for young people with opportunities for activities like dance, gaming, art & fitness
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Access to resources, advice and connections for pathway planning into work or new business development including co-working and office spaces
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A youth technology hub that also provides everyone in the community with access to, and training in, technology
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Promote intergenerational connection
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Improve the community’s resilience and wellbeing
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Create a space for artists and art lovers to gather, learn, exhibit and network
Project Costs
The project has already secured over 68% of its total funding, raising over $4.3m as at September 2026.
We are now seeking to raise the balance of the funds required.
Once established and operational, it’s our objective that the facility will be financially self-sufficient. The IC2 Trust will manage it on behalf of the community.
The Grace Street Project Building Designs
The team at McCulloch Architects created plans that will transform the former Grace Street Chapel into a vibrant, multi-purpose community hub that meets the needs of South Invercargill. Explore the designs to get a glimpse of what will be provided.
View the artist Impression images and floorplans below
View the layout and plan for the usage of each room
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Direct access from the street, as well as its own toilet and kitchenette
Great views across Invercargill
Can open out to include Meeting Room #5
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For smaller meetings, groups
Can combine with the larger Studio 6
Has soundproof divider so can also operate separately
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A safe welcoming space for youth
Always supervised when in use
Governed by youth, for youth
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15 desks available
Business mentoring, assistance to start-ups, sole traders and social enterprises
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Podcasts & other voice recording
Youth recording beats
Office space to rent
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Operated by Your Corps, and run 7 days a week.
Goal to bridge the digital divide and drive youth innovation, education, and community digital access.
Will offer NCEA credits in the hands-on computer assembly labs and pioneer Southland’s e-waste solutions.
Evenings, assisted by MSD, shift to career upskilling, trainings in digital business tools, cyber awareness, and resume/interview building skills.
Weekends and after-hours, structured esports tournaments and youth PC-building workshops
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Sprung wooden floor. Suitable for all dance and exercise classes
Classes, training/education courses
Exhibition space
Larger meetings, concerts. Seated at tables or rows
Conference and workshops, networking events
Festivals, markets, promotional events
Has access to large washing tub for messy activities!
Includes shower and 2 toilets
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For smaller meetings, groups
Can combine with the larger Studio 1. Sprung wooden floor includes Studio 2, but it will have roll out carpet
Has soundproof divider so can also operate separately
Can open out into Community Lounge
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Studio 1, 2 and the Community Lounge can all open out to one large space
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A welcoming place to meet new people or just relax and hang out
Hosted by trained volunteers who can connect you to people and opportunities of interest to you
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Access via a goods platform lift or stairs
Community groups & other hub users will be able to store items they need for meetings, workshops etc.
FAQs
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Stage 1 is nearly finished. We have $1.6M left to raise, including funding for furniture & equipment, solar panels and first year Operating Costs.
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800 m2 over two floors
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As part of the feasibility study for the project, we consulted with 92 youth and 47 organisations and individuals covering sectors such as education, business, arts, health and fitness, Māori, government and many community organisations, all of whom identified a strong need for the project. We have subsequently held stakeholder update sessions and send regular e-newsletters.
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• Janette Malcolm
• Lyndal Ludlow
• Kim Forsythe
• Terry Nicholas
• Chami Abeysinghe
• Joanne O’Connor
• Sharon Reece
• Craig Taylor
• Jesse Hall
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The Hub will be self sufficient once its operational through a mix of:
Regular income will come from foundation tenants including Southland Institute of Technology (signed a 5 year commercial lease) and the Youth Technology Hub
Rental from offices, recording lab and co-working spaces
Income from the use of the four other spaces that will be available to groups, individuals and corporates on a booking basis. The use of the community lounge and conservatory would be free.
Donations and an annual fundraiser
Multi year room sponsorships
Endowments or grants. For example we have been gifted the assets of another Trust to assist with the hosted community lounge.
