A notice to suppliers from centre manager Regan Bennett said the mall had been sold by Lendlease Funds Management Ltd on July 30, to Meridian Mall Ltd.
The newly formed company is owned by Auckland private investment company The Icon Group Ltd.
Kmart moved out of the mall after last year’s Covid-19 lockdown, citing concerns about required seismic strengthening.
The sole director of Meridian Mall Ltd and The Icon Group is former Shortland Street star and pop musician turned property mogul Paul Reid.
As a teenager, Mr Reid played Marshall Heywood on the television series between 2001 and 2004.
He was a member of pop punk band Rubicon as a drummer, bassist and singer.
The New Zealand Herald revealed in 2019 that Mr Reid, through both Icon Group and in other deals, flipped more properties than any other investor during the six years to 2018.
He closed at least 130 trades.
Mr Reid sold the houses with or without renovation — usually within six months.
His first investment was a one-bedroom unit in Point Chevalier, which he bought for $125,000.
By 2003, he owned six properties.
In 2009, he set up Iconicity, now Icon Group.
By 2012, the company had grown so much it was placed 13th in the Deloitte Fast 50 awards.
The company’s website showed that it owns at least six central Auckland commercial properties.
When contacted, a spokesman from the Icon Group declined to comment yesterday on the purchase but said the company was looking forward to being part of the Dunedin retail scene.
‘‘It’s early days but we’re looking forward to getting stuck in and making it an enjoyable place for Otago shoppers,’’ he said.
Auckland property management company Oyster would continue to manage the Meridian Mall. — Additional reporting The New Zealand Herald
