Community empowerment and sustainability

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 May 2026..

Be part of this transformative journey.

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Our Goals

  • Line drawing of a sofa inside a circle.

    A hosted community lounge, helping to build social connections, friendships and a sense of belonging

  • Icon of three locker doors inside a green circle.

    Flexible spaces that are fit for many different purposes

  • Outline of a video game controller with a cord, within a circle.

    A safe and welcoming environment for young people with opportunities for activities like dance, gaming, art & fitness

  • Outline of a person with connected nodes representing a social network or connection.

    Access to resources, advice and connections for pathway planning into work or new business development including co-working and office spaces

  • Green outline of a light bulb with circuit lines inside, surrounded by a gear, representing innovation or technology.

    A youth technology hub that also provides everyone in the community with access to, and training in, technology

  • Outline of an adult and a child with arms raised inside a circle

    Promote intergenerational connection

  • Smiley face with a big smile and closed eyes, surrounded by two hearts, all in a green outline.

    Improve the community’s resilience and wellbeing

  • Green outline of a lightbulb with leaf inside, symbolizing eco-friendly or sustainable ideas.

    Use green energy initiatives to design a space in an innovative and sustainable way

  • Outline of a plant pot with a plant and a pencil inside, encircled by a thin line.

    Create a space for artists and art lovers to gather, learn, exhibit and network

The Grace Street Project Building Designs

The team at McCulloch Architects have been hard at work creating 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 we’re trying to achieve.

View the artist Impression images and floorplans below

Project Costs

The project has already secured over half of its total funding, raising over $4m as at April 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.

FAQs

  • We are building now, and Stage 1 is well underway. We have $2.2m left to raise to complete Stage 2 of the build by December 2026

  • 800 m2 over two floors

  • 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.

  • • Janette Malcolm

    • Lyndal Ludlow

    • Kim Forsythe

    • Terry Nicholas

    • Chami Abeysinghe

    • Joanne O’Connor

    • Sharon Reece

    • Craig Taylor

    • Susan Burke

    Find out more about us.

  • 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.

    • Endowments or grants. For example we have been gifted the assets of another Trust to assist with the hosted community lounge.

Group of four people standing together on stage with a large screen behind them that displays 'the Grace Street Project.' There is a small blue scooter on the stage to the left of the people. The group appears to be at an event or presentation.
Three people standing indoors at a community event, with a banner for The Grace Street Project and a diagram on an easel.