A major redevelopment of the rear of the Harvest Court Mall in Dunedin could start as early as next March.
Marca Investments Ltd this month released a plan for the site that involved restoring the building frontage in Great King St and adding a modern office development.
Company spokesman Carl Angus said the existing building would be earthquake strengthened and the Great King St facade would be restored to 100% of the building code.
A two-level extension designed by Baker Garden Architecture would be added, modernising the building to "create a very energy-efficient office and retail complex", he said.
"The building has been designed in such a way that it can be divided to suit most office tenants' requirements and will include outdoor deck areas."
He would not comment on the cost of the project.
The development would begin at the end of the existing mall and the car parks and driveway alongside the building would remain.
It had been a challenge to create "A grade" office space with plenty of car parks, at below market rent levels, he said.
"By retaining the existing building and adding a contemporary addition to it, we have been able to achieve that goal."
"He hoped the new building would be attractive to tenants at present in "inefficient earthquake-prone buildings".
The project still had to get resource consent. Previous development proposals for the site, which included removing the old building, had received consent.
