Scandinavian designer stationery store Kikki K has been confirmed as the newest addition to Britomart’s Atrium on Takutai shopping gallery, due to open in early August alongside already-open stores M.A.C, Jo Malone, L’Occitane, Nike Britomart and lululemon athletica.

M.A.C Cosmetics opened its Britomart store last week, a relocation of the brand’s Chancery branch. The Britomart store is New Zealand’s only M.A.C PRO outlet, stocking the sought-after range of M.A.C professional makeup products.

Opening in the Atrium in mid-August will be the first New Zealand boutique for UK designer label Ted Baker. Also opening in the first half of August will be a new concept store for bike brand Giant, to be located on the Quay Street side of the Britomart Car Park Building.

New retail in central showcases

Early September will see the opening of several new retail outlets in the centre of the precinct, in time for the arrival of the Rugby World Cup crowds.

Retailers confirmed for this new medium-term development include Japanese sports shoe company Onitsuka Tiger, outdoor clothing and footwear specialist Timberland and an Apple product showcase.

The development, now under construction, consists of four retail and exhibition showcases connected by a central sculpture garden. The garden will feature seven pou by artist Chris Bailey, due to be installed this week and blessed in a dawn ceremony this Friday.

Several other concept fashion stores for the central development and elsewhere in the precinct are to be announced shortly.

Other Britomart development news

Also to be announced progressively over the next few months are a number of new food and beverage businesses in the precinct. The first of these is a restaurant called District Dining, due to open in the Charter Customs Building in early September.

Work continues in the Australis-Nathan building, preparing the ground-floor space vacated by Living & Giving-Urban Loft for use from late August as an event venue for hire.

During September and October, Australis-Nathan will also host a number of special events and activities, including the World Press Photo Exhibition and the media HQ for All Blacks apparel sponsor Adidas. Full refurbishment of the two heritage buildings Australis House and the Nathan Building is due to begin in mid 2012.

The ground floor of the Seafarers Building on Quay Street and Kiwi Tavern on Britomart Place are also being readied for interim use by retail and hospitality businesses in the coming months.

New buildings official opening

The Takutai Square repaving project is now complete, with the rock sculptures and fountains of the 'Pipi Beds' installation now reinstated.

The pedestrian paving work now underway on the Britomart Place roadway, linking Britomart Car Park and Atrium on Takutai, is due to be completed mid-August. The differentiated paving is designed to act as a traffic calming measure by providing pedestrian cues to motorists.

These projects represent the final stages in the development of the Ernst & Young and Westpac on Takutai Square buildings, which will be officially opened by the Right Honourable John Key on 18 August.

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Development Update June 2011