After years of planning, demolition has started on the former Farmers’ Co-operative building in Queen St West, Hastings, in preparation for inner-city living.

The $2.5 million development includes housing, commercial space and new public amenities.

Hastings Mayor Wendy Schollum said it was exciting to see the first physical stage of the project begin.

“This is another step forward in realising the vision to have more people living and working in the inner city, generating economic activity for our retail and hospitality businesses, providing passive security for our city centre streets, and offering housing and lifestyle options that don’t impact our valuable growing soils,” Schollum said.

“Our population is increasing and this development builds on other commercial projects, helping to create a city centre that is welcoming for people to live and work in.”

An artist's impression of the inner-city development planned for the Queen St West site in Hastings.

In May last year, Hastings District Council signed an agreement with Mike Walker Management Ltd (MWM) to transform the historic building into townhouses and commercial office space, along with a laneway connecting Queen and Heretaunga Streets West and a public park.

At the time, Walker said the development was a unique opportunity to blend heritage and modern living in a way that brings long-term value to the community.

“Hastings has a strong identity and rich history, and we’re proud to be part of a project that reflects that,” he said.

“Our approach is to retain and celebrate what’s already here while delivering spaces where people want to live, work and connect. We believe this redevelopment will be a catalyst for even more investment and vibrancy in the city centre.”

Schollum said a public park and laneway would help attract and encourage people to spend time in a city centre.

“A lot of work has been done already in this space on the eastern side of Heretaunga St and this, along with the infrastructure and accessibility improvements set to happen in the mall, is part of continuing that work through to the western side.”

Demolition is expected to take 10 weeks, then work will begin on the internal strip-out, followed by the preservation and strengthening of the building’s heritage facade on Queen St West.

After that, the public park and laneway through to Heretaunga St West will be built, followed by the commercial and residential elements in early 2027, when the first stage of the project is anticipated to be complete.

The council will retain ownership of the public park and laneways while divesting the land for commercial and residential use at market value.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.