Landmark Hamilton Tavern is No More

The Hillcrest Tavern, an iconic Hamilton landmark well known and frequented by many local university students, is no more.

The Tavern, at 247 Clyde Street, was demolished on 16th March in front of an audience of locals who turned out to watch - some making themselves comfortable by bringing their own armchairs.

DTZ’s Alan Pracy, who sold the property a year ago, was there to see the large solid building come down. “It was really a nostalgic moment as the Tavern will be remembered fondly by many of us as a feature of our university days,” he said.

The 52 year old Tavern was previously owned by an Orewa based investor and has been sold to Auckland entrepreneurs who plan to re-develop the site. Construction will start soon.

“The old Tavern was 2000sqm in extent on a 1 hectare site which was under-utilised,” says Alan Pracy. “With a profound lack of commercial land in the area this was an excellent opportunity for the new owners to develop a new convenience retail centre.”

The site is well positioned next to the Hillcrest Warehouse. A total of 8 shops are to be built with 7 already taken by tenants including a Mad Butcher, bakery, fruit and vegetable shop, fast food and video store with only one tenancy still available. A new bottle store and tavern, to be occupied by previous Tavern tenants, Lion Nathan, will also be built on the site as part of the deal. The total retail space will be 2156 sqm with 100 car parks.

ENDS

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