Otago Land Group Ltd director Martin Dippie said the concrete extension of the former Smiths City site, at the Macandrew Rd end of the building, had been completed.
The roof was "almost on" and was expected to be completed "in the next couple of weeks".
Once the building was closed back in, tradespeople would begin working on internal components for the long-awaited new Kmart outlet in South Dunedin.
"The project’s going well, in full swing.
"There’s a lot of tradies there," he said.
"Everything’s ticking along very well."
Contractors were also working at the McBride St entrance, where products would enter the store.
Work would soon start on the entranceway for those entering the site from Andersons Bay Rd.
Contractors would continue working through the summer and the store would start to appear as a finished product, with painting and branding expected to be complete early in the new year.
Mr Dippie said despite the original building being only 20 years old, new seismic and roofing regulations had required a very substantial upgrade.
"The rules — the standards — are quite a bit more complex than they used to be.
"It’s amazing how the rules have changed."
Kmart closed its Meridian Mall store after the 2020 Covid lockdown, citing concerns about required earthquake strengthening at the mall.
Amid widespread public speculation, the retailer’s intentions remained unknown until near the end of last year.
Kmart was asked yesterday for an opening date for the new store.
No answer was received last night.
