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The massive box-shaped structure is currently 500 tonnes of structural steel that, when completed, will be home to the theatre’s fly tower. Which, of course, begs the question: What’s a fly tower?

An essential element of “proper” theatres, fly towers are effectively big lofts that sit over the stage and from which pieces of scenery are hung.

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Twenty-six businesses had wins - some more than one - at the Wednesday evening event at 18 London Street.

Stark Properties is developing the building into versatile commercial spaces but, for the awards, Royal Lab turned it into a high-end jazz bar. Sultry notes from Joe Mac Band filled the sixth floor as attendees enjoyed 360-degree views of the city and the Waikato River.

With a record 137 entries in 2024, general manager Vanessa Williams of Hamilton Central Business Association said she felt incredibly excited about the evening of recognition and celebration.

“This event is a testament to the resilience and perseverance of our local businesses, and we are proud to play a part in celebrating them.”

A central Hamilton spot that’s been mostly vacant for years is earmarked for a six-storey development.Resource consent has been granted for a 20,000m² building next to Centre Place, at the corner of Ward and Victoria Street and Tainui Group says it’s talking to potential tenants.The site has spent years fenced off with Tainui branded boards and currently comprises an empty lot and the P&M plaza building, which will be removed in preparation for the new development.

A $100 million Pullman hotel development has been unveiled for Hamilton’s CBD, with work underway and an expected 2026 opening.The 191-bed hotel over 13 levels will involve a retro-fit of the current Mistry Centre, Hamilton’s tallest building at 42-48 Ward St and within the Centre Place shopping area.

The third office tower in Union Square, Hamilton’s newest central business precinct, is likely to get underway in the next six months.Located on a corner block that includes Anglesea, Hood and Alexandra streets, the multi-level development will eventually be made up of five builds, combining 23,000m2 of office space with a number of retail and community spaces including a wellness centre.

A Hamilton company is poised to spread around the globe after selling to a big international firm - and with the founders “too young to retire” yet.Aware Group, based in London St, Hamilton has been bought by Amsterdam business transformation partner, HSO.Brandon Hutcheson and Jourdan Templeton, now 32, set the company up eight years ago and their first customer was Microsoft.

After challenging times, Hamilton retailers hope interest rate cuts will bring then extra customers for Christmas.December has traditionally been a hot month for retail, with Stats New Zealand data showing two decades of card payment values consistently about 37% above the rest of the year.

Denise Irvine is a Hamilton freelance journalist and food writer, and a regular Waikato Times contributor.OPINION: Dinner last Saturday was at the wonderfully colourful ULO’s Kitchen in Raglan. The place that makes you smile with its vintage fit-out, its upbeat music, laden bowls of Japanese fusion food, and memorable cocktails.

The champagne corks are popping at Hamilton Airport after officials confirmed the return of direct international flights to Australia - and a potential boost to the Waikato economy.After months of speculation and more than a year of “solid grind” behind the scenes, Hamilton Airport chief executive Mark Morgan said he could now reveal Jetstar will offer travellers three return flights a week between Hamilton and the Gold Coast, and four return flights a week between Hamilton and Sydney.

Todd Charteris is a practical man. When Rabobank was moving its head office from Wellington to Hamilton in 2021, he had a challenge on his hands.

The bank - which operates in the rural and agribusiness sector - wanted wool carpet in the new offices. No ordinary carpet would do - it had to be pure New Zealand wool. But Charteris went one step further.

“We went and - through a third party - purchased wool of three of our clients and had the carpet made.”

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