The Top Town Complex building was built in 1960 for the Farmers Co-op Society. At the time it was the largest provincial departmental store and a "must do" shopping experience for many Taranaki people.
The architects were Porter & Martin of Wellington and the structural engineers D.Bruce-Smith & Associates.
Carparking facilities were provided in 1966 and in 1980 a third floor was added. This time the architects were Laurenson, Robinson and Jim Boon.
When the company consolidated its resources in the mid 1980s the store was sold to a Wellington businessman. It was then sold to a Nelson syndicate before being closed in May 1989 - a furniture company then operated from the ground floor.
A new lease of life for the building came when a decision was made to convert it into a multiplex cinema and shopping complex. However before the go ahead to redevelop the building was made the owners had to win a bidding "war" with a rival proposal.
New Plymouth businessman Bob Paton announced plans for a second multiplex in his Carpet and Furniture Warehouse. Plans were drawn up and work started to renovate the building building on Brougham Street - now Grand Central Hotel.
Obviously the town could only support one cinema complex and after a spirited debate the Top Town complex was given the green light.
The complex opened on the 22nd of October 1993 with 13 shops,a childrens playground, a foodcourt and four cinemas. The project was planned, designed and supervised by TSE Taranaki Limited.
Once again the building is undergoing a major renovation. New Plymouth developer Kevin Doody bought the building in 2010 and has so far (2012) spent over $1 million on the project.
