A PLANNED makeover for Lansdowne in some ways acknowledges that the tide of change in Masterton's shopping demographic continues to drift south.
For years, Lansdowne was seen as the top housing and shopping precinct in Wairarapa, certainly unchallenged by any other area of Masterton.
Likewise, the north end of Queen St was a vibrant and strong section of the CBD but over time an unmistakable shift has occurred.
Lansdowne remains a lovely part of town but the gloss has gone and its special place in the sun has faded.
Gradually the town's activity shifted, first to the Star Block area, then further south to what is now regarded as the CBD hub, the area basically stretching from Bannister/Perry St to The Warehouse and even further afield to the rejuvenated Kuripuni Shopping Centre.