Howick market axed

BY: MATT BOWEN

A strengthening residential property sector has shut down plans for a world-class marketplace in Howick.

Alistair Johnston was behind the vision to create a unique, "earthy" space for small artisan producers to permanently do business in the old supermarket building on Fencible Drive.

And community leaders were right behind him.

But late last week, a month after the market was due to open, Mr Johnston heard his idea had been scrapped.

Owner-developer Augusta Funds Management will now return to their original plan to create 36 terraced apartments and lofts with some retail on the bottom storey.

Managing director Mark Francis says the improving residential sector convinced them to change.

"The trouble with the market concept was that to do it justice it needed to be big. That precluded us from putting any residential on the site.

"To be honest the scheme stacks up better with a residential component in it."

Mr Francis says the residential market has "a lot more life in it" this year so they decided to get back to their original plan.

Mr Johnston, who was behind the Victoria Park Market development, says it's disappointing news for Howick.

And his phone has been running hot since his plan appeared on the front page of the Eastern Courier.

"The market would have been spectacular and it would have been up and running by now," he says.

"I understand the owner's wishes to develop the building in another way but I still believe the market would be fantastic for
Howick."

Building and resource consents are in place and work is due to start on the project within three weeks and is scheduled to finish in a year.

Mr Francis says they're excited about delivering what they initially set out to do.

"It took a long time to get consents, then the property market turned.

"But thankfully things look like they've improved enough to make it all happen so it's full steam ahead."

And the building's bright green colour scheme is going.

For Mr Johnston the change means a renewed search to find the right location for his permanent marketplace.

"Auckland wants it, Auckland needs it," he says.

"I would have really loved for it to have happened in Howick."

- © Fairfax NZ News