The multimillion-dollar development in Invercargill’s city centre is completing one year today and ICL centre manager Kelvin Mooney said he was happy with what had been achieved so far.
"It’s been a massive deal to get it up and running, and as you can see now quite clearly we’re busy, we’re open and it’s working really well."
With 17 entrances to the mall, it was hard to keep track of how many customers came through daily, however he said about 75% of the building was open and fully operating.
On the first floor there were three spaces under negotiation and only one vacant, he said.
The goal was to have between three and five restaurants there and a couple of office spaces.
"We’ve just got to get people to take on the tenancies there.
"Getting chefs into the country has been very difficult so that process has taken a bit longer, but of course, we’re in negotiations with people there as well, which is great."
One of the highlights he believed in this first year was having the centre used as a kind of community hub.
"Flames on Esk St were amazing, I think they were able to count 1900 people outside there. We’ve got community groups coming in and doing arts, music, singing, we’ve had quite a few ... flashmobs!
He said any idea which could bring foot traffic as well the community together was encouraged.
Last month, the Invercargill City Council received an update from the New Zealand Institute of Economic research on the estimated broader economic impact of the development for Invercargill and the region.
"Although economic growth is lower than estimated in the previous report, there is a clear economic benefit from the city centre rebuild in Invercargill."
