Auckland’s iconic Mercury Plaza is set to close in 2019 to make way for a station on Auckland’s new City Rail Link, meaning the tenants of the much-loved food court will have to find other homes. There have long been rumours that the CRL will result in the destruction of the long-running location, but a CRL spokesperson confirmed that the project will occupy the space from mid to late 2019.
Businesses will be individually assessed for compensation under the Public Works Act, and will receive at least $25,000. The owners of the Plaza, which had a capital value of $15 million in 2017, would not comment as negotiations have not yet taken place. Karangahape Road Business Association precinct manager Michael Richardson said that while it was sad to see the iconic venue go, the CRL would provide a major boost to the area in terms of foot traffic and business opportunities.
Since the announcement was made in 2015, Mercury Plaza has seen a number of tenants abandon ship and leave. However, for those who have remained, business is booming.
“From day one when the rumour came out that we were going to close we've been getting busier,” said Katie Chan, whose parents have run Chinese Cuisine inside the plaza since 1994.
“Some of them have been coming for a long time,” she said. “We were the first store here in the whole building.”
