‘Community held hostage’: Frustration mounts over derelict New Brighton Mall site

Saturday, 5 July 2025

SaveMart New Brighton building still looming over New Brighton.

A long-vacant building is being blamed for stalling a key project in the revival of New Brighton and the city council is being urged to take action.

Local community board representative Alex Hewison said the former SaveMart building at 52 Brighton Mall was the “sole hold-up” to extending Oram Ave — a project he believed was critical to revitalising the seaside suburb.

“It’s sitting bang smack in the middle of a great development opportunity — one that would focus development, restrict the easterly, and support those working to revitalise New Brighton.”

The former SaveMart building had been empty since about 2013. Hewison said it was a “real shame there’s a land banker taking our community hostage”.

The former SaveMart building is visible on the right side of the road.

Hewison would like the property compulsorily acquired, while Coastal* Ward councillor Celeste Donovan is pushing for the council to hike rates on neglected sites.

“People are climbing into the building — it’s very unsafe,” he added, saying the site had become a hotspot for vandalism.

Hewison also expressed concern over the high number of vacant and unused sites in the New Brighton Mall area, saying they were “significantly holding back the local community”.

Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board member Alex Hewison is calling on the council to pursue compulsory acquisition and knock it down.

“No matter where I go — Southshore, New Brighton, or Queenspark — people bring up the state of the mall and that building.”

He visited the mall every week with his great-nana while growing up, and believed the once-bustling space had lost its sense of social connection.

“The community is resentful towards the inaction of the council and the property owner. It’s time to move forward and get it done.”

The former SaveMart site at 52 Brighton Mall has become a hotspot for vandalism, Hewison says.

He called on the Christchurch City Council to “pursue compulsory acquisition and knock it down”.

A council spokesperson said compulsory acquisition was a “possible future option,” but did not believe it was currently justified.

“The council’s preference is always for a negotiated agreement with terms and conditions that meet both vendor and council (on behalf of the community) needs,” said the spokesperson.

Progress to revamp New Brighton Mall has been slow, but the city council says work is happening.

The Oram Ave extension is a key part of the New Brighton Centre Master Plan. One of its main proposals is a new north-south corridor running through the mall, extending Oram Ave toward Keppel St. The plan, developed through extensive public consultation, aimed to refocus the mall’s energy to the eastern side and create a sunny, sheltered precinct.

A city council spokesperson confirmed the site at 52 Brighton Mall “remains under private ownership”, despite repeated attempts to reach an agreement. The council purchased the adjacent properties — 54 and 56 Brighton Mall — in 2021 for $585,000 to support the Oram Ave extension.

Discussions with the owner of number 52 had taken place “at various times since 2020”, the spokesperson said.

An early artist’s impression of the village green project planned for New Brighton Mall by the Greater New Brighton Community Leadership Group.

“We remain in contact with the property owner, who we understand is progressing their own development plans for the site.

“Council’s current focus is on upgrading Brighton Mall, rather than pursuing the Oram Ave extension.”

However, the council acknowledged that purchasing 52 Brighton Mall would be critical to delivering the Oram Ave extension as a “full” road.

An attractive laneway has been created along Oram Ave.

“If the owner of the old SaveMart property is unwilling to sell, the council may need to consider what other alternatives exist,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said these alternatives could include narrowing the road width, or “different approaches to acquisition”.

Councillor Donovan said “great progress” was being made in New Brighton, with funding now confirmed for both the pedestrian mall upgrade and the Oram Ave extension.

“At the same time, I’m under no illusions about the ongoing challenges. One or two vacant and derelict properties continue to block progress,” she said.

“However, this number has been significantly reduced by one active developer. I’ve pushed for council to introduce a vacant land differential, increasing rates on neglected sites, and also supported a resolution to take a proactive look at rundown buildings that are holding up development. That work is now under way.”

Donovan said they were making good momentum, with average retail spend increasing in New Brighton year by year.

While progress on the extension had been slow, the council said work was underway.

The owner of the former SaveMart building recently agreed to the painting of a mural on the building’s outer wall.

Several other parts of the master plan were already finished or in progress, including upgrades to Marine Pde, improvements to pedestrian access, new residential development, and general streetscape enhancements.

Some work - such as a new open space and a relocated bus exchange - had yet to begin.

Last year, Property investor Martini Investments said it was also working on redevelopment plans for 12 properties it owned at the beach end of the mall.

The council said several master plan initiatives related directly to the SaveMart site, including urban design improvements, graffiti removal, and temporary projects to activate underused space. The building’s owner recently agreed to the painting of a mural on the building’s outer wall.

SaveMart has been approached for comment.

*CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said Celeste Donovan is the Central Ward councillor. She is the city councillor for the Coastal Ward. (Amended 12.57pm, July 5, 2025)