The shape and face of Wanganui's inner city shopping precinct continues to change as work progresses with the $9.6 million retail complex going up between Victoria Ave and St Hill St.
This Avenue view shows the frontages of seven stores that are part of the project. Wayne Forrest, site manager for main contractors Watts and Hughes Construction, said the next stage will see canopies put in place and all the glazing installed before the facades are painted. Mr Forrest said they reflected the city's heritage streetscape and the colour scheme would be in keeping with that theme too.
The new Farmers store is the biggest part of the project and a walkway from the Avenue will provide pedestrian access. The department store is on track to be open for business in mid-January.
Property developer CJ Efstratiou is behind the multi-million-dollar retail complex known as the Victoria Retail Centre which includes the Farmers store, 10 individual retail outlets and 71 carpark spaces in the centre of the complex.