KEY POINTS:
Grunge is cool, says developer Peter Cooper, who is out to mix the best of New Zealand fashion and culture with international brands at Britomart.
Four years into the regeneration of Britomart, the developer is realising the value of rundown heritage buildings.
By simply making the late 19th and early 20th century former merchant, shipping agents and trading buildings habitable, Mr Cooper is capitalising on a desire by fashion brands to be more grungy.
A number of shops have opened in the heritage buildings along Customs St with a strong New Zealand fashion and design feel, and Mr Cooper is promising international brand stores as more of the $1 billion Britomart makeover takes shape.
Two fashion stores, Made and Federation, have featured in Sportswear International, a trade publication tracking the latest trends in casual and sporting retailing.
In the upper levels, Cooper and Company has provided space on short leases and low rents forseveral art groups, including Black Grace dance company, Auckland Theatre Company and the Auckland Festival.
Mr Cooper says New Zealand fashion and culture have a freshness tothem that, mixed with international brands, provides an exciting combination.
He says his vision for Britomart has always been "a place that has soul, where the people are bold and the culture is cool".
Six of the 17 heritage buildings have been fully restored and the first new building, Charter House on Customs St, is due for completion in November.
Cooper and Company plans to complete a large new building at the eastern end of Britomart and an even larger building on the old Oriental Markets site at a combined cost of $400 million ahead of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
