Hotel site retail plan scaled back

The site was originally earmarked for a shipping container shopping mall. Photo / Artists Impression

Grass may be greener at the old Albert Hotel site this week - but it comes with news an ambitious vision for the space has been scaled back.

As it begins to take shape, people will notice the area planned as a shipping container retail centre is somewhat different to original artist impressions.

Owner Michael Whittaker demolished the broken down former hotel - setting his sights on an opportunity that would enliven the central business district and move forward with innovative design.

Unique containers were touted as a place for boutique retailers, cafes and galleries with "endless possibilities".

While a temporary shopping centre is not ruled out in future, for now it becomes public zone, complete with pop up theatre for the whole community to enjoy.

In just over eight weeks' time, as part of Blossom Parade festivities, the new park will open complete with established trees and seating areas.

Land is being leased by Hastings District Council for the next three years while Hastings City Business Association is tasked with running events and making the currently vacant dirt lot fun and modern.

There was minimal cost to council to develop the 1300m2 site for what they hope will be a popular spot for residents and city workers to eat lunch while soaking up the atmosphere.

"People will see that work's being done, the grass will go in this week and it's going to be a public green space ... we hope to have that open in September," Mr Whittaker told Hawke's Bay Today. "The desire is to get it up and running as fast as we can."

As he sees it, tearing down a derelict building was step number one, the green space was another, and the possibility of a retail site remained on the backburner.

"Hastings is not going to be transformed overnight, but these little steps need to start happening."

Mr Whittaker was committed to a long-term rejuvenation of the eastern side of the CBD, which included a Saturday morning growers' market.

Hastings City Business Association manager Susan McDade was thrilled to come on board with the project, and push it forward.

"We are really excited about it, because it will become a focal point for that end of town - it will be a community meeting space that's a bit funky, a bit edgy and a bit different from your standard council park."

A line of containers will still be put in along the wall, one of which becomes a pop up theatre with flip down front available to community groups, performers and musicians of all genres.

"We have got the main stage in the mall but it's really hard to use in inclement weather - this new stage will bring another option."

There were also plans for a projector which could showcase visual art instalments and offer something a little different for Hastings CBD.