The once-grand Sky World Entertainment Centre in Auckland's City Center, which was home to Planet Hollywood, Burger King, Starbucks, Borders, bars, cafes, and a full food court, has now become a rundown husk of its former self.
However, there may be a glimmer of hope for the building, as it was quietly listed for sale on TradeMe on Friday.
The nine-level building sits on a 3,486 sqm site and offers Escher'esque escalators, a closed food court and restaurant precincts, 928 underground car parks, and a digital display board that used to offer movie times now just reads "EEEEEEE."
As reported by Chris Schulz in Metro Mag, due to the COVID pandemic, the complex emptied out as rents were raised, making it financially difficult for many hospitality outlets that were locked down.
These days only a few businesses remain, including Event Cinemas, Metrolanes bowling alley, and until recently the Odyssey Sensory Maze which closed after the Auckland floods.
With the City Rail Link set to be completed by 2025, the property is in an ideal location to take advantage of Aotea Station, which is only a short walk away.
The TradeMe listing reads "This is truly a rare opportunity to create significant income and substantial value by either re-establishing, re-positioning, or re-developing this central CBD icon."
The building could have amazing redevelopment potential, with significant money already spent on concept plans to refurbish the existing structure into an entertainment mecca, designed by architectural firm Warren and Mahoney, as well as a mixed-use redevelopment concept by Walker Architects.
