Shop owners at the iconic St Kevin's arcade want its new owners to preserve it's character.

There have been mixed reactions to news that one of Auckland's favourite creative haunts, St Kevin's Arcade, is up for sale.

Built in 1924, the arcade on Karangahape or "K-Rd" has long been a hangout for musicians and quirky retailers.

It has a category B heritage classification but its marketing campaign notes it is zoned under the unitary plan for intensification, with a height limit of 35 metres.

TOM CARNEGIE St Kevin's Arcade, home to artists and musicians, is on the market.

Auckland Council's heritage manager Noel Reardon said the zoning was appropriate given that it was both a heritage building and in a heritage area, and any changes needed council consent.

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But some shop owners were nervous that the arcade could be potentially be developed into a bigger building, leaving just the facade.

DAVID WHITE/FAIRFAX NZ Michelle Menzies, who opened a branch of her father's shoe store, Pat Menzies, in St Kevins last year.

St Kevin's owner is The Icon Group run by Paul Reid. He bought the arcade in 2015 and has plunged nearly $3 million into a sympathetic renovation.

Reid said the arcade was in a prime location but also hoped it would not change too greatly.

"The long-term future capital gain will be substantial for the next owner but unfortunately it's not our business model to retain things.

TOM CARNEGIE/FAIRFAX NZ Touches of art deco and the arts and crafts movement abound in the 1924-built arcade.

"As landlords we just enhance them and de-risk them and move on."

He had tried to secure the arcade's character by putting about a third of the tenants on long 10-year leases.

"I don't think anything will change for a long, long time."

St Kevin's has a rich history dating back to the Nathan family, who donated the land to serve as a key walking link between K- Rd and Myers Park.

During its heydays in the 1920s to 1940s, the arcade was part of a thriving retail scene, and more recently, it has been a magnet for artists, music venues and bookstores.

Michelle Menzies, who runs a shoe shop in the arcade, said she was supportive of Reid's improvements and sorry to see him go.

"It's a community like no other up there, it's a very unique place to eat and shop, and the retailers are just keeping building on that.

"I'm not focussing on what's happening with the selling of the building."

But Max Woolridge, who is moving out of St Kevin's, thought the arcade's vibe had changed.

"It used to be about creative people and independent businesses...the whole vibe is clinical now."



Artist Danielle Vivian attends a life drawing event at the arcade called Dr Sketchy and said the mall was iconic for a lot of creative people.

She would be "really bummed out if it changes".

"This place is always buzzing and attracts a lot of alternative folk."

The council's design champion, Ludo Campell-Reid, said St Kevin's had "a deep resonance" with Aucklanders and was the start of an important pedestrian link through Myers Park to the city.

However, K-Rd was changing as the City Rail Link stretched towards it.

"Once CRL is in place there will be fountains of people coming out of the station bringing money to shops and restaurants and people will want to live in the area."

Not all intensification was done badly, he said.

"It's about sensitive urban design at the end of the day."

Michael RIchardson of the Karangahape Rd Business Association, praised Reid for the renovation, saying the arcade still retained its gritty, arty charm.

The building's marketers, Bayleys, noted K-Rd boasted award-winning restaurants and was soon to be home to the New Zealand headquarters for Tesla Motors.

Tenders close on June 14.