The rundown and quake-damaged Wainuiomata Shopping Centre, north of Wellington, is set to be given a new lease of life after being bought by supermarket chain Progressive Enterprises.
Advocates say the investment will be good for the area but some would prefer to see something New Zealand-owned.
It's a grim sight in Wainuiomata - a vast retail space hosting literally a handful of shops.
After years of neglect it will get a revamp by new owners, Progressive, which already has a Countdown supermarket on-site.
The council calls it a game-changer.
"We've had a mall here and mall owners that over the past few years haven't been keen to do much, they've let it run to the state it's in now," says Wainuiomata Ward councillor Campbell Barry.
Countdown wouldn't share its plans for the site, saying "it's early days, we'll consider how to redevelop the site in due course".
But it's understood it's likely to use a similar design to that seen in neighbouring Petone - a supermarket surrounded by smaller shops and takeaways.
Mr Barry says it'll be good for growth in the 18,000-strong community.
"We're seeing houses being built in Wainui, seeing a town centre which is vibrant, has shops where you can get your daily needs, is crucial," he says.
But any replacement mall is likely to smaller - leaving room for other development.
"There'll certainly be discussions from us about what the best options utilising what the whole site would be and that may include housing options as well," he says.
He says it's been sad to see the mall's decline, worsened when The Warehouse closed earlier than planned because of damage suffered in the November Kaikoura quake.
Countdown was also damaged with the supermarket bussing passengers over the hill to Petone to shop.
Reaction to Progressive's purchase is mixed.
"I just think people will stay here and spend more money," one person says.
"I'm weary of what rents they're going to charge and how we can enhance business back here," another says.
The Council says the flow-on effects will be huge.
"We've got a retirement village that's just about at a green light stage and that was held up by the previous owners and concerns around the future of the mall," Mr Barry says.
It's just hoped rents charged to any local businesses in the new space will be fair.
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