For the more than 100 people gathered inside the $34 million mall watching proceedings on closed-circuit television, the unveiling of its George St exterior happened as if by magic. Outside, a crowd of about 40 were able to observe a group of workers on top of the new building raising the hessian "curtains".
Opening the complex, Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin recalled the block where the mall stands used to be part of his playground as a child, as his family lived in a house nearby.
He recalled particular fascination with the Penroses department store's "whizz bang" Lampson vacuum system, which took cash from the counter and returned change and receipts.
The mayor expressed the hope the new shopping precinct would be the playground for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those present.
Wall Street project manager Dave McKenzie paid tribute to all those involved with the project, saying he was immensely proud the project had been delivered on time and on budget.
It was not a standard mall, he said, describing it as a heritage building of the future.
It met the "green building" design requirements set by the city council and also provided an enjoyable "people space", not just somewhere to pack people in to take a dollar off them, he said.
No difficulties with parking are expected when the mall opens at 10am today.
Entrance to the 164 car parks within the complex is off St Andrew St, with the exit into Filleul St.
Mr McKenzie said the system was automated to avoid bottlenecks and delays.
