The Havelock North Village Exchange development is due to begin in January 2015, following a decade of planning by Lowmac Properties and in consultation with Hastings District Council.

Official consents have been granted for the $25 million project, a two-year development that will offer seven retail spaces including a cafe, a 40 room, five star boutique hotel, bar and restaurant, function and conference facilities, and multiple first-floor offices.

Developer David Mackersey said that it it timely to rejuvenate the iconic site in a contemporary yet complementary way.

“What we’re planning will add to the village offering long term, futureproofing the heart of Havelock North as the major boutique shopping centre for years to come.”

“This as a significant investment in Havelock North’s future and there will be multiple benefits for us all in both the short and long term.”

Rather than one large building, the 4300sqm site will have three separate buildings encircling a central courtyard. The buildings will each have a unique facade, architecturally designed to be visually appealing from each of the three frontages.

The Village Exchange project design redefines the retail, office, and hospitality experience in Havelock North, said Shaun Thompson-Gray, Architecture HDT Hawke’s Bay project architect.

He said the new buildings are meaningfully connected to the site and complementary to the village character.

Sam Jackman, Havelock North Business Association president, said that any development that attracts additional visitors is welcomed. Plans have been put in place to minimise the impact of the development’s construction on the nearby businesses, shoppers and pedestrians.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.

Other Havelock North developments completed by Lowmac Properties include Cinema Gold, Village Court and the Porter Drive building.