A major overhaul of New Brighton’s historic Surfside building is taking shape, with new food, hospitality and retail operators confirmed as part of the wider Pierside development.

The redevelopment is being led by Martini Investments, which is progressively bringing together a number of buildings and spaces around the New Brighton mall as part of its wider Pierside vision.

Surfside, which opened in 1965 as an arcade-style shopping mall, is being restored and repositioned as a destination within the precinct rather than returning to its original role as a traditional retail strip.

Martini Investments’ Robbie Harris said Surfside was one part of a much larger plan to reconnect areas of New Brighton which had become fragmented over time.

“Surfside is part of our development we call Pierside. It’s just one of many buildings we are tying together as part of the destination,” Harris said.

He said historic decisions had left New Brighton dealing with a number of challenges, including the dispersal and fragmentation of businesses, the foreshore and the wider community.

“It’s an important piece, as with all the other buildings,” Harris said.

Christchurch City Councillor for the Coastal Ward Celeste Donovan welcomed Martini Investments’ ongoing commitment to New Brighton.

“It’s a really positive sign to see that continued investment in the area,” Donovan said.

“Rather than replace the old arcade, which has been part of New Brighton since 1965, they’re restoring it and giving it a new lease of life.”

Donovan said the redevelopment complemented the character New Brighton already had rather than trying to reinvent the suburb.

“It’s not trying to make New Brighton into somewhere it isn’t. It’s building on the character and quality local operators that already make it a great place,” she said.

“That mix of old and new is really important to New Brighton.”

Pierside has described Surfside as the “rebellious brother” of the waterfront side of the precinct, with plans for an eclectic mix of independent retail, specialty food, fresh produce and hospitality.

Located beside the main Hawke Street car park, Surfside is expected to become an important entry point into Pierside, linking people arriving from the car park through to the beach and other parts of the development.

Harris said work was progressing as quickly as possible, although Martini Investments was reluctant to commit to a firm opening date because of the challenges involved in redeveloping older buildings.

“The opening timeline for this building is as soon as possible, but we don’t want to put a timeline on it as in these old buildings so many things can pop up that cause issues and delays,” he said.

“But we are wanting to be open for summer.”

Pre-consent work has already been carried out, including re-roofing and remedial work ahead of the main construction programme.

Surfside is the latest stage of the wider Pierside vision, following the completion of Southpaw brewery last year, the Greater New Brighton village green earlier this year and the West End building a few months ago.

Harris said West End had been targeted towards health, beauty and wellbeing businesses, along with an anchor cafe.

Work has also begun on the Pavilion, while details of two remaining new-build sites are expected to be released over the coming weeks.

“Collectively they are coming together to form a single destination combining the places and experiences around the mall,” Harris said.

The private investment is also coinciding with further Christchurch City Council spending in central New Brighton.

Donovan said the timing was significant, with the Council’s $4.2 million New Brighton Mall upgrade due to get underway next week.

“We’re seeing real private and public investment happening side by side, and that’s creating some real momentum for New Brighton,” she said.

“When private investment and Council work line up, that’s when you really start to see things move forward.”

Martini Investments is also taking a deliberate approach to selecting businesses for the wider precinct, with some prospective tenants still in negotiations.

Harris said further businesses had already joined other Pierside buildings, although not all had yet been announced.

“It’s really important we get the right people in the right spaces to make it all work and bring the best out of New Brighton,” he said.

He said businesses still in negotiation would not be announced until agreements were confirmed.

Among the businesses confirmed for Surfside is Jerry & George, which is moving its entire bakery operation to New Brighton.

The business, already known to customers through local markets, will open a permanent store where breads, pastries and other baked goods will be made on site each day, alongside barista coffee.

Cian Curtain is also opening The Snug, a traditional Irish snug bar with a small adjoining deli.

Curtain has previously created award-winning hospitality concepts, and Pierside said the new venue would aim to provide an authentic Irish experience in Christchurch.

A new Asian fusion food and drink business, Mr Don, will serve donburi bowls, ramen and other dishes during the day before transforming into a Japanese-style izakaya bar in the evening.

Popular New Brighton restaurant Chanakya South Indian Cuisine is also expanding within the development, giving it additional room to accommodate diners during busy periods.

Donovan said the mix of operators was one of the strengths of the Surfside development.

“I really like the mix of businesses going into Surfside,” she said.

“You’ve got something new like The Snug Irish bar, alongside Jerry & George, an established local bakery moving their whole operation to New Brighton and putting down roots with their own store, and an expanding Chanakya South Indian Cuisine.”

Dessert business Sweet As is expanding too, with Pierside indicating it will eventually have two expanded locations across the wider precinct.

Several long-standing businesses are already operating from Surfside, including New Brighton Cycles and Nature’s Creations.

The florist site has a particularly long association with the building, with a florist having traded from the premises since Surfside opened in 1965.

Harris said existing businesses would continue trading while construction progressed.

“Our existing businesses are continuing to trade in the building, but the new operators are aligning with the opening and will be doing their fitouts alongside our programme,” he said.

Donovan said developments such as Pierside were important for New Brighton’s future.

“To groups like Martini who are prepared to invest in New Brighton, I’d say thank you and keep going,” she said.

“New Brighton has huge potential, but it needs people who are prepared to back it, look to the future and help shape its next chapter.”

Further details about the Surfside restoration, its operators and the wider Pierside development are expected to be released over the coming weeks.