Foodie Supermarket

NZ Retail Property Group selected Formsteel to engineer and deliver the structural solution for the 6,500sqm Foodie Asian Supermarket within Auckland’s Westgate retail precinct. Comprising three separate tenancies and positioned among major international retailers, including Costco, Tesla, a block of fast-food chains, and Chemist Warehouse, the development required expansive retail frontage, long clear spans, and delivery certainty at scale.

Originally designed using a conventional structural steel system, the project encountered rising material costs, supply chain disruption, and reduced flexibility. Seeking a more efficient approach, NZRPG selected Formsteel’s integrated methodology, combining structural technology with end-to-end delivery capability.

The design incorporated wide portal connections, intersecting rooflines, and complex multi-tenancy coordination. Formsteel implemented its SuperSpan™ beam system within a coordinated framework that integrated modelling, engineering, fabrication, and on-site construction. Rapid reconfiguration of the original design, seamless integration of structural elements, and optimised beam configurations reduced complexity while maintaining structural performance.

The building envelope was completed in just 20 weeks, using approximately 40% less steel than a traditional structural approach. The project delivered measurable cost efficiencies, reduced embodied carbon, and earlier tenant occupation, demonstrating how Formsteel’s technology, automation, and expertise transform large-format commercial construction.