Groovy Places in Wellington - Guy Armstrong

So what are you into? Cinema, Food? Pies? Beers? Rugby, Theatre? food, pies, beers, great Cafes with real Kiwi Coffee and more? Well, my friend, we have got a city for you.

Want to see a movie? Check out the Penthouse in Brooklyn, only a short bus trip out of the CBD. Or the Roxy in Miramar, not so far from the airport (they sometimes show a cult classic The Room – one of my favourite awful movies).

Have a wander around the town belt and see some of our native bush. This can be incredibly cool at night, but take a friend so you’re safe of course.

Fancy exotic food? There’s a lovely Ethiopian place called Blue Nile on Allen Street off Courtenay Place, and another in Newtown called Mother of Coffee. Some of my favourite places are The Hop Garden at the bottom of Mount Victoria, the Yakitori sushi bar on Courtenay Place, and McDonald’s on Manners Street. Down the road you have the eclectic shopping and food in Cuba Street. 

If you like a touch of kiwi, there’s always Karaka Café. The coffee here is always great and there’s a wonderful historical Maori feel to the place. It’s a chilled out mix of technology and back-to-the-roots nature.  Go have a look when you’re down by the Waterfront, hey you may as well peek inside Te Papa (museum) while you’re there. 

You have not been to Wellington until you have ventured up Cuba Street.  Near the top you will find a taste of Cuba a place called Fidel’s Café. The clientele are a mix of diversity which really shows off what Wellington is all about. 

Until next time

Guy

Band Rotunda proposal announced

Wellington City Council is pleased to announce that, following a call for expressions of interest, it has accepted a redevelopment proposal for the Band Rotunda in Oriental Bay.

The successful proposal was submitted by Cheops Holdings, which will use sister company McKee Fehl Constructors to undertake the development, led by Maurice Clark.

The Band Rotunda building, a Wellington waterfront landmark since its completion in 1938, has been closed for some time as it needs extensive renovation.

The concrete slab between the upper and lower levels of the building has deteriorated and is unsafe, and the foundations are being affected by the sea.

A key aim of the process was to find a developer who is prepared to invest in the building to ensure its construction is long-lasting and suited to the marine environment. 

The Cheops proposal also maintains public access to the building and contributes to the heritage and urban design values of the area.

The City Council is negotiating terms and conditions with Cheops Holdings and hopes to conclude these within the next month.

“The Band Rotunda is one of Wellington’s most recognisable buildings but needed a lot of work to bring it up to modern safety standards,” says Wellington Mayor Justin Lester.

“It is wonderful that in this deal with Cheops Holdings we have been able to secure its future and it will remain one of the city’s landmarks.

“We are also delighted to retain public access and that the redevelopment will maintain the building’s heritage values and eye-catching charm.”

Maurice Clark, Managing Director, Cheops Holdings says: “The Band Rotunda is one of Wellington’s most iconic landmarks. We are delighted to take-on the opportunity to restore and rejuvenate this much-loved site and bring vitality to Oriental Bay.

“After strengthening and upgrading, we hope to attract a premier hospitality operator, bringing a host of local community benefits and further enhancing our city’s hospitality offering.”

Cheops Holdings specialises in restoring and rejuvenating historic, underutilised buildings across Wellington for commercial, residential and hospitality uses. The company has an impressive award-winning redevelopment portfolio which includes the Press Hall precinct, Public Trust Building and 15 Stout Street.

“Wellingtonians will be delighted when the band rotunda is back in use; we’ve missed it,” says Councillor Nicola Young, the Council’s Portfolio Leader for Central City Projects.

“Maurice Clark has an outstanding track record in restoring heritage buildings, so he’s absolutely the right man for this project.”

-WCC