Old Farmers could become council’s new home
Speculation about who might fill the space above the old Farmers building in Cuba St may be about to end.
The deal isn’t signed yet but Greater Wellington Regional Council is understood to be poised to move into the building’s upstairs office area, possibly in 2020.
The building has been closed since the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake.
The regional council’s operations has been scattered around the city since it was upended in 2013 from its base in Wakefield St and again during the Kaikoura earthquake in 2016.
The current situation has left 450-odd council staff split between Shed 39, Walter and Vivian streets.
The council’s acting general manager of corporate services, Samantha Gain, said she couldn’t confirm where the council was looking to move.
‘‘But we’re in negotiations for a site and hope that that will be completed by February,’’ she said.
The Farmers building is being strengthened by developer Willis Bond, which was also responsible for turning the old Deka store next door into an arts and technology campus.
Retail consultant Chris Wilkinson, of First Retail Group, said bringing the council to Cuba St would be good both for the area and the council.
‘‘This will be an important factor in attracting and retaining the right talent to take the organisation forward, especially with its future role in codelivering the Let’s Get Wellington Moving programme.’’
Cuba St businesses would also welcome the increase in foot traffic, Wilkinson said.
‘‘The loss of Farmers has been felt by many traders as the store brought a significant number of shoppers to the street.
‘‘The regional council offices, a new ground floor retail and hospitality offer and the completion of nearby apartment blocks will reignite the precinct.’’
Previously Willis Bond director David McGuinness has said the former Farmers building would be split into two sections, with retail stores out front. The buildings behind it on Victoria St were set to be demolished and replaced with apartments.
The old Deka building next door was demolished except for its heritage facade and reopened this year as Te Auaha NZ Institute of Creativity, an arts and technology hub for WelTec and Whitireia polytechnics. That property was sold in 2016 to local developer Mike O’Sullivan.