The second-generation owners of the Eastbourne Fruit Supply are shutting up shop next June, after 65 years of operation. Photo: RNZ / MARK PAPALII
A developer taking over the site of an iconic Wellington fruit shop has unveiled his plans to transform the building into luxury apartments.
The second-generation owners of the Eastbourne Fruit Supply are shutting up shop next June, after 65 years of operation.
Locals have been disappointed to learn the Lai family is moving on, but developer Sam Faisandier is also aware of the speculation about what's next - and notably, how high?
The director of family-run business, the Faisandier Group, said after almost a decade of residential builds in Lower Hutt, he's excited for the challenge ahead, not to mention the site.
"Corner sites are quite special to get your hands on, every block there's only four of those in there, and this is probably one of one - it's got that north-west aspect and it's in the centre of the village, which is very tightly held."
Sam Faisandier, director of family-run business, the Faisandier Group. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
The final plans were still underwraps, but he had the vision - 8-10 luxury apartments above 200 square metres of commercial space - including (hopefully) a new green-grocer. Car parks were also on the cards.
The target demographic? The downsizer who wanted to stay in the area.
Faisandier said the size and location meant they'd have to be smart about the build.
"Building up in Wellington has always been challenging. There's been a lot of under-development. So, I think fitting in with the area - four to five levels is probably where it sits best."
But best was up for debate, with local of 38 years Margs Mills adamant the new construction shouldn't be too high.
"Eastbourne is quite an iconic little village that we're very lucky to live in. To be frank, two storeys high, three at a push, would be more than enough."
Local of 38 years, Margs Mills. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
The village centre had only one building higher, Rona House - a seven-floor apartment block. Mills said people love living there, but it hasn't been without controversy.
"The plan was to have two of them, but once the first one was built - and this was years ago - everyone went nuts and said, it causes a terrible wind funnel.
"We don't want anything very tall."
Mills said change was inevitable but it had to be in keeping with the flavour of the village.
As for the commercial spaces below the apartments, she had some ideas.
"Certainly another green-grocer because we're going to miss the Lais terribly.
"Some kind of gift shop would be really nice. Maybe a nice restaurant would be fantastic, a nice family restaurant."
Margs Mills says another green-grocer would be nice. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Eastbourne Community Board member Bruce Spedding, said he did his best to keep his finger on the pulse of the tight-knit community.
With regard to a new development, he felt the biggest concern was that it wouldn't fit with the village character.
"Four storeys sounds fairly dramatic for Eastbourne, so it would depend on the impact that that has on the village. How the design fits in with what's already here."
He said there was nothing wrong with apartments, but reserved further judgment until he'd seen the plans.
Eastbourne Community Board member Bruce Spedding. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Spedding said a revamped retail strip (in the ground-floor commercial space) would be pretty important, and could see it tying in with a future visitor boom brought about by a new ferry and cycleway into Wellington city.
"So all that will involve a lot more outside people coming into Eastbourne, so we want to be able to cater for that as well. It's quite exciting, there's a lot going to happen next year, I think."
He said ultimately anything that supported Eastbourne businesses was a good thing.
"These things that are happening could in fact be sort of revitalising.
"Basically, what we want to do is just make it viable for what we've got to remain here.
"In a lot of other places, businesses are closing down and moving out and communities are losing local resources ... so it's quite a positive thing in that regard."
Bruce Spedding says anything that supports Eastbourne businesses is a good thing. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Spedding said although it was no longer required in the district plan, he encouraged a community meeting so the developer could share plans and hear feedback - a proposition Faisandier was open to, once plans firmed up.
Faisandier said the company wasn't in a rush - there were projects to finish first - and they wanted to get it right.
"Our challenge will be to blend it into the surroundings and use the right type of materials and look.
"There is a bit of special flair ... I want to reuse some of the exisiting brick. So, there's a little bit of a cherry ... we'll try and incorporate some of the materials and recycle them into the construction."
He said all going well, the timeframe to begin work was 2027.
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