The
Re: START project, also known as the "Pop-up mall", was set up two years ago on Cashel Street following the devastating earthquakes, which saw hundreds of collapsed buildings in Christchurch city centre. The project was prompted by the Christchurch Appeal Trust, which provided a total of $3.36 million to house various stores and cafes that were affected by the quakes.
The Mall
One of the famous woodoven pizza stall
Situated right alongside their famous Avon River (good for
punting) and the
Bridge of Remembrance, Re: START mall is made up of cool, vibrant and funky containers, housing Ballantynes department store, various fashion boutiques, a grocery store, bookstore and cafes. The design of each container (or shop) is unique. What really impressed me was the way the shipping containers were stacked at different angles and positions to provide bigger and wider space for each shop lot. You would not even realise you are shopping in a container but rather, a proper mall!
The mall is full of life on a typical day, with clown performances, street buskers, live music bands and food stalls selling yiros, tapas, German sausages, ice-creams, chips and burgers. Also, if you're into the Maori arts and crafts, you've come to the right place. There are plenty of buses that stop at the mall entrance and a handful of
car parks are available within the mall area and at close proximity to the mall for a small price.
