One of Auckland’s oldest shopping centres, known to some as “the heart of Karangahape Road”, has turned 100 years old.
St Kevin’s Arcade is a mecca for retail, hospitality and colourful characters and special events are running all week to mark the special occasion.
Before the arcade was built, two houses occupied the land, known as Verona and St Kevin’s House.
“The first inhabitants of the St Kevin’s House was none other than Governor George Grey, who was essentially kind of like the Prime Minister of New Zealand,” said Karangahape Rd historian Hamish Williams.
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In 1924, the homes were demolished to make way for a new shopping arcade that led down to Myers Park.
Williams said the arcade had a bit of a decline in the 1970s and 80s but then a “massive resurgence” in the 90s.
“There have been great record shops here, fashion boutiques, many people have wonderful memories.”
Pasta and wine restaurant Pici opened up in the arcade four years ago.
Owner Jono Thevenard said the business all loved St Kevin’s Arcade and that it had an “amazing wairua”.
“The people that we’ve met here have basically become like whānau.
“We’ve got so many people on the street that are so different, and we all support each other and we all come together.”