Source: Radio New Zealand
A render of the Courtenay Place entrance at The Court, the proposed new complex in central Wellington. Supplied
A complete overhaul of Wellington’s abandoned Reading Cinemas complex is moving closer, with resource consents lodged for the project.
The large earthquake-prone building on the city’s main nightlife road Courtenay Place had been sitting empty since 2019 – and has often been referred to as an eyesore.
In an effort to get the building redeveloped, the council put together a bid to buy the land under it for $32 million – but that failed last year.
A render of the Wakefield St entrance at The Court, the proposed new complex in central Wellington. Supplied
It was announced in January that property company Primeproperty Group had bought the site.
The new owners lodged resource consents with Wellington City Council on Friday for its exterior, and has released renders of the new building, under a new name called “The Court”.
The exterior design was created by Australasian architecture and design firm Buchan.
Primeproperty Group said the complex would be a blend of cinemas, retail, hospitality and dining.
A render of the Courtenay Place entrance at The Court, the proposed new complex in central Wellington. Supplied
Chief executive Eyal Aharoni said its new façade was a major step in reshaping the look and feel of the building.
“It will play a key role in how The Court reconnects with the city and its surroundings.”
The complex would be upgraded to 70 percent of the New Building Standard for a structure its size (equivalent to 100 percent for standard commercial buildings).
A render of the Wakefield St entrance at The Court, the proposed new complex in central Wellington. Supplied
Earthquake strengthening work included thickening, new shear walls, diaphragm strengthening with fibre-reinforced polymers, and additional roof bracing and movement joints to significantly enhance seismic performance.
That work was already underway under current building consents.
Mayor Andrew Little said the redevelopment would be good for the central precinct, which was a key area for hospitality and entertainment.
“It’s great to see that there’s further development happening,” he told RNZ. “It’s a bit of a gap on Courtenay Place.”
He said development work would always bring disruption, but “I think what most people are focused on is we do want Courtenay Place precinct to be a vibrant, exciting place that’s really attractive for people to get to.”
It was appropriate the development went ahead as a private project, following the former council’s failed bid to buy the land in 2024, he said.
“It’s a privately owned property, it’s a private development, which is where it should stay. The council’s role is to support – through the consenting process – but to support developers to get on and make the properties viable and habitable and an exciting place to be.”
The building was expected to reopen in 2027.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
