Historic shopping arcade project in Waimate

Historic shopping arcade project in Waimate

Plans are underway to rescue one of Australasia’s first shopping arcades and restore it to its former glory.

The 1906 Quinns Arcade is a landmark building in the small country town of Waimate, South Canterbury. Local community group Pro-Ject Waimate has launched a fundraising campaign to buy the building and is seeking pubic support. It’s likely to be a million-dollar project, but initially the trust needs to raise $60,000 towards purchase of the building. Co-ordinator Sheryl Frew said the town needed to save its most important buildings, and the Arcade was one of the best.

It was thought to be one of the earliest shopping arcades in Australasia, and possibly the southern hemisphere. The plan was to restore the arcade and establish it as a weekend venue for artisans and craftspeople.

“There are people all over the country who will want to be part of this hugely significant project for our town,” Ms Frew said. The Arcade was built of 300,000 bricks made at Quinns brickworks in nearby Makikihi. It served initially as a shopping mall, but by 1918 became the Arcadia Theatre, which operated until 1955. There was also a billiards hall in the building.

The Historic Places Trust is supportive of the community group’s plans.

“The whole building would not look out of place in central Auckland, and in fact nothing compares anywhere else in the country,” said the late Jim Esplie, a conservation expert for the trust. For more information: www.quinnsarcade.co.nz

ENDS

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