Takanini’s new boutique entertainment hub
The precinct’s 1,200sqm entertainment space builds on Takanini Town Centre and includes eateries and an arcade adjacent to Silky Otter, an eight-theatre boutique cinema.
Five dine-in eateries will form a central aspect of the Derby Square experience.
An approach to Derby Square’s Town Centre including landscaped green space and eateries to either side.
A view of the Town Square looking towards Silky Otter Cinemas. The front of the cinema will feature an open courtyard public space.
The Town Square lawn and seating areas looking towards the existing Blacksmith Eatery and Bar.
Building on South Auckland’s growing reputation as a foodie destination, Derby Square, Auckland’s newest entertainment and eatery precinct, is set to open in March 2024.
Created as a new-build addition to the award-winning Takanini Town Centre, Derby Square will deliver a curated mix of hospitality and entertainment businesses.
Five dine-in eateries, ranging in size from 130sqm to 400sqm will form part of Derby Square that will be supported by a 1,200sqm entertainment space that is earmarked for an arcade, alongside an eight-theatre boutique cinema that Silky Otter have already committed to.
“South Auckland has always been and will continue to be a cultural melting pot, creating new opportunities for different types of customers and retailers,” says Takinini Town Centre development manager, James Kermode.
Designed by Ignite Architects, Derby Square aims to blur the boundaries between retail and public amenity with boutique-style brick buildings opening directly onto vibrant green spaces.
Kermode says the addition of Derby Square will include a landscaped greenspace designed by LandLAB called the Town Square.
“Designed by award-winning landscape architects, the Town Square is intended to become the focal point for the community and will provide a flexible activated space,” Kermode says.
“Kids can run and play safely on grassy knolls and community events will keep this space humming day and night.”
Takanini is growing rapidly and approximately 280,000 residents live within the immediate catchment of the Takanini Town Centre and that figure is forecast to grow by another 30 per cent during the next 15 years, according to an independent research report conducted on the area.*
The opportunity to mix prime hospitality options with an arcade and cinema is set to entrench Derby Square as a highly desirable entertainment destination that will provide significant benefits for existing retailers through increased foot traffic.
“Silky Otter Cinemas prides itself on being ‘the local’ so with such a large spike in population growth in the community, and the lack of other cinema offerings nearby – Silky Otter Cinema is set to be a welcomed addition,” Kermode says.
“With an annual admission target of 200,000 tickets sold, Silky Otter will be a key anchor for other food, beverage, and entertainment operators in Derby Square and the wider Takanini Town Centre.”
The centre’s design-led approach creates a connection with the growing aspirational community within Takanini, Papakura, and wider South Auckland.
With over 16,000sqm of existing mixed-use space and 54,000sqm of Business – Town Centre Zone land, the Takanini Town Centre, which is managed by Colliers, has the scale to grow with the community.
*Property Economics Report October 2020.
