News Release
27 July 2012

‘THE PAVILIONS’ FOOD AND FASHION GARDEN UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT BRITOMART

Construction has begun in the central spaces of the Britomart precinct on a new garden-themed retail complex, soon to be home to some of the top names in New Zealand fashion.

‘The Pavilions’ will feature eight boutiques clustered around a leafy courtyard restaurant space fronting Britomart’s main pedestrian thoroughfare, Te Ara Tāhuhu Walking Street.

The development will house new flagship stores for Karen Walker and Trelise Cooper, together with boutiques for Juliette Hogan, Taylor, Ashley Ardrey, Kathryn Wilson and Trelise Cooper Boardroom. Also in the complex will be the first Australasian store for leading American cosmetics brand Bobbi Brown.

The bistro-cafe at the heart of the development will be run by restaurateurs Scott Brown and Jackie Grant, whose Hip Group of establishments includes Richmond Road Cafe, Takapuna Beach Cafe, Cafe on Kohi and Rosehip Cafe in Parnell. Hip Group will also operate a dessert restaurant and patisserie at the back of the development, opening out onto Tyler Street.

Located adjacent to the Central Valet drop-off point, the complex will occupy the block bounded by Commerce, Tyler and Gore Streets, and is scheduled for completion in December 2012.

All-season garden concept

The development is named for its grouping of distinct ‘pavilion’ structures, which give each boutique its own identity and incorporate several private planted courtyards.

The design emphasis is on landscaping and greenery, with changing seasonal plantings and creeper rambling over store fronts, walls and roof trusses. The canopied central dining courtyard will give onto two intimate laneways, lined with seating and tables, that link the main garden to Tyler Street behind.

The complex was designed by Nat Cheshire of Cheshire Architects, whose Britomart credentials include the interiors of Cafe Hanoi, 1885 Britomart, The Britomart Country Club and Mexico. Cheshire was also responsible for the ground-floor development of the 1970s Seafarers Building, now home to flagship boutiques for Zambesi, WORLD and Kate Sylvester.

The Pavilions garden development will eventually extend to and incorporate the two existing adjacent black-mesh Showcase buildings, also designed by Nat Cheshire and currently the location of Yoobee, Onitsuka Tiger, Timberland and Lululemon Athletica stores.

Fashion flagships relocate to Britomart

Karen Walker and Trelise Cooper, two of New Zealand’s most successful international fashion houses, will have their flagship stores at Britomart, with the Karen Walker flagship relocating from O’Connell Street.

Joining them in The Pavilions will be long-established New Zealand fashion names Taylor, set to open its fourth store, and Ashley Ardrey, which will launch a new concept shoe boutique in the complex. The new Juliette Hogan store will be the second boutique for one of New Zealand’s most rapidly ascending young fashion designers.

Kathryn Wilson and Trelise Cooper Boardroom, which until recently had pop-up stores on the development site, have temporarily relocated in the precinct until they are ready to move into their new spaces in The Pavilions.

The new development will bring the number of fashion, beauty and specialty stores in the precinct to 33.

“We’re very excited to welcome this prestigious new group of fashion and beauty businesses to Britomart,” says Matthew Cockram, CEO of Britomart manager Cooper and Company. “What we have here in the precinct is a community of world-leading brands, including the cream of New Zealand fashion, and we’re extremely proud of that.

“The new development is a unique and beautiful concept that, together with our personal valet parking service and Britomart’s superb selection of cafes, bars and restaurants, will offer a very special shopping experience.”

For more information, contact:
Sarah Hull
Marketing Director
Cooper and Company

T: 09 914 8431
M: 021 240 1133
E: sarah.hull@britomartgroup.org

Read more about shopping at Britomart
Visit Britomart's online media centre