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Discover the Imperial, a new jewel in Auckland's crown

Friday 9 December 2011, 8:29AM

By Switch PR

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Imperial Exterior
Imperial Exterior Credit: Switch PR

AUCKLAND

Two century-old theatres scarred by fire and left untouched for 50 years, most Aucklanders won’t even know they exist.

So it is fitting that exactly 100 years on this year, these grand old dames the Roxy and Everybodys Theatres have another chance at grandeur.

Reborn as a unique hospitality precinct unlike anything Auckland has seen, the Imperial sees remnants of a bygone era preserved and redesigned for the 21st century.

Accessible from both Queen St and Fort Lane, the ambitious redesign encompasses all four levels of the heritage-listed building.

The building’s flagship space is the fine dining restaurant The Roxy, headed by leading New Zealand chef Sean Marshall, previously of Wellington’s Matterhorn and Cuisine Restaurant of the Year winner in 2008.

Impressively sign-posted by a seven-metre high neon sign, The Roxy retains its theatrical proportions with vast ceiling height and sweeping stairs.

While a fire in the 1950s means there is little to indicate the ornate detail that once existed, the combined effect of the original exposed bricks (still blackened by fire), high steel trusses and timber sarked roof is that of a 100-year old warehouse.

Add to these a new mezzanine level and impressive rooftop courtyard with views of Fort Lane and Auckland’s cityscape, and the feel is urban, elegant and modern.

Next door, Everybody’s Bar & Bistro is by contrast a study in decayed glamour, with remnants of its former glory highly visible in the ornate plaster ceilings and mouldings.

Reworked with an elaborate mezzanine level, plush booths and a substantial open-air courtyard, this space has a more relaxed lounge atmosphere with great casual bistro eating also courtesy of Sean Marshall’s team.

Perhaps the most ground-breaking aspect of the development however is Imperial Lane.

Carving out a thoroughfare at ground-level between Fort Lane and Queen St, the Lane takes its lead from the great cities of New York and Melbourne as one of the city’s first “shared spaces”.

Lit by massive four-story lightwells and with a sweeping spiral staircase leading to the theatres on the first floor, the raw bricks, cobblestone floors and large oak and concrete tables create a distinct 19th century industrial warehouse feel.

By day, Imperial Lane is home to new European patisserie and bakery Elske, with Danish-inspired European bakery and patisserie goods from Michelin-star pastry chef Kristina Jensen (also Sean Marshall’s partner), served alongside some seriously good coffee.

But as day shifts to night, so to does the Lane, with small eats and great wine served well into the night.

Brought back to life by a collective of hard working visionaries, those behind the building’s rebirth include Phillimore Properties, responsible for many of Auckland’s best heritage developments; Fearon Hay, renowned architects behind Wynyard Quarter’s new North Wharf; and young hospitality wunderkinds Pack & Company, whose already impressive list of bars, restaurants and cafes includes Auckland’s Northern Steamship, Neighbourhood, Snapdragon and Shaky Isles, and Wellington’s Matterhorn and Foxglove.

With the Imperial now open for business, we suspect it won’t take long for Aucklanders - and indeed visitors and international guests - to discover the culinary jewels in the Imperial crown.

Whether it’s a coffee and croissant in Imperial Lane by day, or wine and cheese by night, a casual bite at Everybody’s, or delectable fine dining at The Roxy, there’s something for everybody at the Imperial.

Watch out for more exciting new eateries and retailers in and around Imperial Lane in the months to come, with office spaces in the floors above also to be filled.

The Roxy, Everybody’s and Imperial Lane, Imperial Building, 7 Fort St / 44 Queen St, Auckland Central

The Roxy, open Tuesday-Saturday for dinner and Friday lunch. Tel 09 929 2701
Everybody’s, open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Tel 09 929 2702
Imperial Lane, open Monday to Saturday from 7.30am until late. Tel 09 929 2703

www.roxy.co.nz
www.everybodys.co.nz
www.theimperiallane.co.nz