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Christchurch pop-up mall - Source: ONE News -
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Christchurch's temporary shopping area is being expanded, and new buildings are emerging as reconstruction gathers momentum.
Christchurch's earthquake torn CBD is still very much a work in progress, with the Restart precinct opening in October last year and now, some nine months later, temporary containers are making way for new permanent buildings.
"It's been quite a positive thing for the public that people will come back to the city, businesses can trade effectively back in the city. It's put that confidence back in the property developers to actually want to start rebuilding," said Paul Lonsdale from Restart the Heart Trust.
As new building begins current tenants move over - fast, with one closing store removed, relocated, rebuilt and reopened in just 36 hours.
"We're back up and running after a day and a half of being closed really and that's what Restart was all about, able to relocate us quickly - you know it hurt to be closed over the 10 month break of the earthquake," Hunters and Collectors Andrew Judkins told ONE News.
The retail re-fresh will add up to 200 square metres to the complex, with the existing tenants just as excited as the shoppers with the developments.
"It obviously shows things are moving forward and the more new things that keep happening here brings in more people to check it out - what new buildings are coming down, what's going up," 3 Wise Men's Lauren Clegg said.
There's also excitement at The General Store.
"We're getting people that never used to come into the city are now coming in - confidence is coming back," said Sonya Henry from the store.
Bringing the crowds back was a challenge for the Christchurch City Council, but one they were willing to tackle.
"Well, you only ever are going to do it in the end by putting things there that people want to be a part of, so it's a chance to rethink, to re-evaluate. What people are looking for at the moment is the excitement of that creative new world," said Mayor Bob Parker.