Community empowerment and sustainability

The Grace Street Project is a community-driven endeavour to establish a mixed-use, all-weather venue in South Invercargill creating a place of pride and belonging. We've acquired a large, abandoned building at the heart of the community, with Stage One building consent approved and Stage Two consent expected in August 2025.

Our collaboration with McCulloch Architects ensures a vibrant, multi-purpose community hub that meets South Invercargill's diverse needs.

Be part of this transformative journey.

Our Goals

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

  • Flexible spaces that are fit for many different purposes

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

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

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

  • Promote intergenerational connection

  • Improve the community’s resilience and wellbeing

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

  • 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 $3.6 million by July 2025. 

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 have completed all the engineering investigations including structural, mechanical, fire and geotechnical, finalised detailed working drawings and obtained building consent for Stage 1. The building consent application for the remainder of the build has been submitted.

  • 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.