Work underway to develop Eat Streat into Rotorua landmark

Rotorua District Council (RDC) wants the city’s popular Eat Streat precinct to become a permanent CBD feature and is working with local designers to develop it into an iconic Rotorua landmark.

Eat Streat, the area of Tutanekai St bounded by Pukaki and Whakaue streets, was developed in 2008 as a trial concept for alfresco dining in the CBD.

The pedestrian-only zone introduced new coordinated dining furniture, sun umbrellas, trees, and planter boxes.

RDC economic projects manager Nick Dallimore says the Eat Streat trial project has been such a success that the council is keen to make it a permanent fixture.

“The council is currently seeking imaginative and locally influenced ideas from creative professionals for enhancing the look and feel of the space. Developing the Eat Streat precinct will make it an even better and more enjoyable place for alfresco dining in the CBD.

“As part of the design process we’ve started talking to designers to find out the best way to develop the space. There are a number of factors we need to consider and we want to get it right.”

Mr Dallimore says he expects the designers’ concepts will be influenced by local design themes and created by, or in collaboration with, local designers and artists.

“Our aspiration is that when someone sees a photograph of the Eat Streat area they immediately know where it is in New Zealand and associate it with Rotorua.”

A designer or designers will be selected to become part of the creative process and will be integrally involved as the project develops and public consultation is undertaken.