New life for cinema

The cinema complex is to get an upgrade. Photo / Doug Sherring

The abandoned Mid City cinema complex on Auckland's Queen St is finally getting a facelift.

The 1980s multiplex has been empty for about a decade, with a succession of plans for the derelict site coming to nothing.

The Herald on Sunday understands an owner of units in the Mid City shopping arcade below the former cinemas has bought the site from the receivers of failed finance company Bridgecorp. The deal was due to settle late on Friday.

The new owner plans to redevelop the complex into a mix of offices and shops, and two tenants have already been lined up, sources say.

Bridgecorp receiver Colin McCloy said a confidentiality agreement prevented him from releasing more details.

It's understood the redevelopment does not include the existing shopping centre, which is owned by about 45 unit holders.

Three years ago the Auckland City Council backed a bid by Auckland Theatre Company to create a $35 million multi-theatre complex on the site.

The plan was to convert the concrete shell into a 550-seat home for major drama productions, another 350-seat theatre, and two or three rehearsal spaces.

However, the site had a number of drawbacks, including the need to upgrade fire safety and problems providing truck access and backstage facilities. Structural restrictions and the complicated system of ownership of the associated retail spaces scuttled the plan.

Cost estimates had also soared to $50m.

The Mid City redevelopment is the latest in a string of major projects around Queen St.

Auckland Council's $23m upgrade of the Fort St area will make more room for pedestrians on several streets, including Jean Batten Place, Gore St, Commerce St and Shortland St.

The historic Imperial Buildings, which housed Auckland's first big movie theatres, are being renovated into a mall running from Fort Lane to Queen St, with new wine bars, silver-service restaurants, shops and character offices built around an inner courtyard.

The refurbished buildings will have soaring spiral staircases, light shafts, a food and beverage court and space for six bars and restaurants.

Auckland Council upgrades are also underway at Darby, Lorne and Elliott Sts. Streets will be paved and pedestrians will have right-of-way.

The $2.34m Kitchener St upgrade will see paths widened, new paving stones installed, pedestrian crossings raised outside the Art Gallery and two lanes reduced to one at the southern end.

A 637sq m shopping centre named Queens Court is due to open next year at 370 Queen St, opposite the Town Hall. Once the shopping centre is open, a high-rise 360-unit apartment block between Wakefield St and Airedale St is planned.

- Additional reporting: Andre Hueber