AMY RUSS
Bridge Street Studios
Something new is taking shape in the heart of Nelson CBD and it’s bringing a fresh kind of energy with it. Bridge Street Studios officially opens this March, introducing a creative community of more than 20 makers, designers, and small businesses to the CBD.
Tucked into 123–131 Bridge Street, the space transforms a once underused stretch of town into a dynamic space where people can work, create, and connect, all under one roof. At its centre is Sublime Coffee Roasters, an iconic local business that has now evolved beyond anything they could have imagined. It’s a natural starting point for visitors, drawing people in off the street and into a space that feels alive with activity.
While the idea of shared workspaces isn’t new, General Manager Nikki Neate says that Bridge Street Studios feels different. “This isn’t just a building full of tenants, it’s a collection of working studios, workshops, and small retail spaces, each with its own rhythm and purpose.” Spread across two neighbouring buildings, the development has been led by a group of local owners including Emma and Dan Hennah, alongside Ra Vincent, Nancy Hennah, and Chris Hennah. “The space is beautiful, its eclectic and there is a real softness in the industrial aesthetic. It feels like we could be anywhere,” says Nikki. “But we are right here, in Nelson.”
The team's approach to the three-stage project has been less about creating something slick and uniform, and more about building a space that works for the people in it. “There’s a sense of practicality to it with spaces that are fit for purpose, but still open enough to invite interaction. You can walk through and see things being made, tested, packed, or designed in real time. You can talk to the creators directly and get a real sense of where the products come from.”
Meet the Makers
The strength of Bridge Street Studios lies in its mix of tenants. There’s no single “type” of business here, instead, it’s a broad cross-section of Nelson’s creative scene. Sublime Coffee Roasters, a long-time local favourite, sits alongside businesses like Common Threads, Hākinakina, Good Gold and Kiln Studio. The Workers Cottage stock antiques and vintage finds, while Nutty Delights and K-Oui tempt the palettes.
Bio Honey brings its globally recognised mānuka products into the mix, while MAKE Furniture showcases locally made design and joinery. The Green Collective adds a sustainability focus, offering products designed to reduce waste without overcomplicating everyday life. Then there are the equally important creative players. Digital agencies, software developers, community hubs, photographers, filmmakers, and architects like Innit Creative Films, Trakk Assets, Beast Dance, Light LTD, Cultural Conversations, Melissa Banks Photography and Fine Line Architecture all have a presence here, including Plink Software, Culture Shock, and Love & Money NZ.
It’s this combination of physical makers and digital creatives that gives the space its depth. You’re just as likely to see someone glazing ceramics as you are someone storyboarding a film or working through a design brief. But what sets Bridge Street Studios apart is how those spaces connect and the café plays a big role in that, acting as a kind of shared front door. “We have a space where Nelson’s creative talent can thrive, where the public can connect with the people behind the products, and where this part of the CBD feels alive for all the right reasons.”
Opening the Doors on March 28
That idea comes into full focus on Saturday, March 28, when Bridge Street Studios hosts its first public open day. It’s designed as a chance for people to explore the space properly and engage with what’s happening inside. Tenants will be offering tastings, talks, demonstrations, and small hands-on experiences throughout the day. There’ll be everything from honey sampling and baked goods to textile activities and founder talks, alongside plenty of opportunities to meet the people behind the businesses.
“Projects like this shift how a part of the city feels. By bringing consistent activity back into this stretch of Bridge Street, the studios add foot traffic, visibility, and a sense of momentum to the CBD. But there’s also a practical side to it. For many small creative businesses, finding the right kind of workspace that is affordable, functional, and well-located can be a challenge. Bridge Street Studios helps fill that gap, offering spaces that are designed with real use in mind. At the same time, it shows what’s possible with existing buildings. Rather than starting from scratch, the project leans into what’s already there and gives it a new purpose.”
Spaces like Bridge Street Studios feel increasingly important. It isn’t trying to be everything to everyone, instead, it focuses on doing one thing well: creating a place where creative businesses can work alongside each other, and where the public can feel part of that process. There’s a natural energy to it, collaborations happen more organically, and the line between work and community feels a little less defined.
Now that the doors are open, it’s set to become a regular part of the CBD landscape. “Saturday is about throwing the doors open and letting people see what’s possible when you bring great businesses together under one roof.”
