Hunter Street, Newcastle
Encyclopedia
Hunter Street in Newcastle
is the major shopping street in the Newcastle central business district
. The street is a paved pedestrian mall
between Wolfe and Perkins Streets. The major features of the mall section of the street include a bus interchange and a prominent 4 floor David Jones
store at the western end. The shops continue both east and west beyond the ends of the mall. In the early nineteenth-century, Hunter Street east of Brown Street formed the northern boundary of the Dangar Grid
.
Since the 1970s, the retail strip has fallen into serious decline, partly as a result of the development of suburban shopping centres and a trend to move away from inner-city dwellings and business. The re-implementation and frequent expansion of metered parking over a large area around the CBD by Newcastle City Council
has been blamed for exacerbating this decline, though many blame the Newcastle railway line
. The street was once regarded as the premier shopping destination in Australia's second oldest city, at a time offering more than three quality department stores. Of these stores, David Jones was only to survive, but has recently closed (2011). The strip between the Civic Precinct and East End also supported a moderate theatre district, along which stands the Newcastle Civic Theatre
and the now closed Victoria Theatre
.
A footbridge was constructed as part of the Queens Wharf redevelopment, providing access from the centre of the Hunter Street mall, over Scott Street, the Newcastle railway line
and Wharf Road to Queens Wharf, on the southern side of Hunter River.
In recent years, development in Newcastle's CBD, particularly around the Civic precinct and beachfront areas, has injected new life and wealth into the old city. Modern architecture has begun to dominate the very Victorian skyline of the East End as firms begin to migrate back into the old city centre and a new cosmopolitan lifestyle begins to form in the city and adjacent suburbs.
The Hunter Street precinct is proposed to become the site of redevelopment by General Property Trust
, who, in August 2007, announced plans to redevelop four blocks on the southern side of the Hunter Street Mall between Perkins and Newcomen Streets into one large shopping centre. No further details have been released, except for the fact that David Jones
will hold a 12000 square metres (129,167 sq ft), two level space within the centre that will be 25% larger than the existing store. The centre itself will be spread across three levels. Along with the development, Hunter Street Mall has been reopened to traffic one way. GPT also caused controversy by also claiming that for the development to go ahead, the Newcastle railway line
must be cut.
Unfortunately, inaction and indecision regarding the railway caused GPT to pull their redevelopment plans from the city. David Jones have since closed its doors in early 2011.
Over the past year a program called Renew Newcastle based on using empty shops for start up culture based businesses has brought renewed enthusiasm back to the city centre. Renew Newcastle is being looked on by other cities as a model for arresting the decline of city centres.
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
is the major shopping street in the Newcastle central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
. The street is a paved pedestrian mall
Pedestrian mall
Pedestrian malls in the United States are also known as pedestrian streets and are the most common form of pedestrian zone in large cities in the United States. It is a street lined with storefronts and closed off to most automobile traffic...
between Wolfe and Perkins Streets. The major features of the mall section of the street include a bus interchange and a prominent 4 floor David Jones
David Jones Limited
David Jones Limited , colloquially known as DJs, is a high-end Australian department store chain.David Jones was founded in 1838 by David Jones, a Welsh immigrant, and is claimed to be the oldest continuously operating department store in the world still trading under its original name. It...
store at the western end. The shops continue both east and west beyond the ends of the mall. In the early nineteenth-century, Hunter Street east of Brown Street formed the northern boundary of the Dangar Grid
Dangar Grid
The Dangar Grid is the layout of the streets in the centre of the central business district of Newcastle, Australia. Named after its designer, Henry Dangar, the Grid was designed in 1823 and implemented sometime thereafter...
.
Since the 1970s, the retail strip has fallen into serious decline, partly as a result of the development of suburban shopping centres and a trend to move away from inner-city dwellings and business. The re-implementation and frequent expansion of metered parking over a large area around the CBD by Newcastle City Council
City of Newcastle
Newcastle City Council is a Local Government Area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia.-Demographics:According to the Australian Bureau Statistics the City of Newcastle had an estimated resident population of 154,777 as of 30 June 2008...
has been blamed for exacerbating this decline, though many blame the Newcastle railway line
Newcastle railway line, New South Wales
The Newcastle railway line is a branch railway line in the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The line branches from the Main North line at Broadmeadow and travels in an easterly direction through the inner suburbs of Newcastle to Newcastle station...
. The street was once regarded as the premier shopping destination in Australia's second oldest city, at a time offering more than three quality department stores. Of these stores, David Jones was only to survive, but has recently closed (2011). The strip between the Civic Precinct and East End also supported a moderate theatre district, along which stands the Newcastle Civic Theatre
Newcastle Civic Theatre
The Newcastle Civic Theatre , located in Newcastle, Australia, is one of Newcastle's most popular and prestigious venues...
and the now closed Victoria Theatre
Victoria Theatre (Newcastle)
The Victoria Theatre in Newcastle, New South Wales, opened 1876 and rebuilt during 1890-91 is the oldest theatre still standing in New South Wales....
.
A footbridge was constructed as part of the Queens Wharf redevelopment, providing access from the centre of the Hunter Street mall, over Scott Street, the Newcastle railway line
Newcastle railway line, New South Wales
The Newcastle railway line is a branch railway line in the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The line branches from the Main North line at Broadmeadow and travels in an easterly direction through the inner suburbs of Newcastle to Newcastle station...
and Wharf Road to Queens Wharf, on the southern side of Hunter River.
In recent years, development in Newcastle's CBD, particularly around the Civic precinct and beachfront areas, has injected new life and wealth into the old city. Modern architecture has begun to dominate the very Victorian skyline of the East End as firms begin to migrate back into the old city centre and a new cosmopolitan lifestyle begins to form in the city and adjacent suburbs.
The Hunter Street precinct is proposed to become the site of redevelopment by General Property Trust
General Property Trust
General Property Trust Limited , trading as GPT Group, is an Australian company that is a property investor and manager in Australia, Europe and the United States...
, who, in August 2007, announced plans to redevelop four blocks on the southern side of the Hunter Street Mall between Perkins and Newcomen Streets into one large shopping centre. No further details have been released, except for the fact that David Jones
David Jones Limited
David Jones Limited , colloquially known as DJs, is a high-end Australian department store chain.David Jones was founded in 1838 by David Jones, a Welsh immigrant, and is claimed to be the oldest continuously operating department store in the world still trading under its original name. It...
will hold a 12000 square metres (129,167 sq ft), two level space within the centre that will be 25% larger than the existing store. The centre itself will be spread across three levels. Along with the development, Hunter Street Mall has been reopened to traffic one way. GPT also caused controversy by also claiming that for the development to go ahead, the Newcastle railway line
Newcastle railway line, New South Wales
The Newcastle railway line is a branch railway line in the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The line branches from the Main North line at Broadmeadow and travels in an easterly direction through the inner suburbs of Newcastle to Newcastle station...
must be cut.
Unfortunately, inaction and indecision regarding the railway caused GPT to pull their redevelopment plans from the city. David Jones have since closed its doors in early 2011.
Over the past year a program called Renew Newcastle based on using empty shops for start up culture based businesses has brought renewed enthusiasm back to the city centre. Renew Newcastle is being looked on by other cities as a model for arresting the decline of city centres.