Work has started this week on the $36 million expansion of LynnMall, New Zealand’s first shopping mall for a cinema complex, a dining lane (called The Brickworks) and speciality retail, to meet shopper demand.

Local builder, Chris Hunter, director of NZ Strong, has construction machinery on site in the former carpark of New Lynn’s LynnMall Shopping Centre for the initial works phase.

Completion will be in November this year.

Cinema chain, Reading, will operate the movie complex, which has been absent for 14 years.

The revitalisation of a public transport interchange and rail and bus station, extension of the motorway, and development of a 10-level Merchant Quarter apartment tower above the new medical centre and carpark adjacent to LynnMall has assisted the extension.