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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 14 September 2007

Owners reveal vision of mall with trees and greenery

THE new owners of Archway Mall – responsible for evicting the Saturday market – insisted this week that their heart was still very much in the community.
Andrie Lazari, from Lazari Investments, said the decision to evict the market was taken so the company could start with a clean slate. “As it turned out, the market has been given a much more prominent site in Holloway Road by Islington Council,” she added.
Lazari, one of London’s biggest property companies, has told market organiser Stephanie Smith she can hold a one-day Christmas fair at the mall.
Ms Lazari said the family firm has been based in Islington since 1970, feels very much a part of the area and wants to help regenerate it.
Lazari Investments, whose Hamlyn House head office is in Archway, was confirmed as the mystery buyer of the 2.3 acre complex after a deal with previous owner Bridge Properties.
Ms Lazari said her firm will be working with the council, which is devising a redevelopment scheme for the area.
Part of the mall is expected to shut early next year while London Underground installs new lifts at next-door Archway Tube station.
“I’d like to see new lighting and greenery and trees on the mall,” said Ms Lazari.
“I’d like shops to reopen and the area to become more welcoming.”
Representatives of the firm are to meet council officials, and later members of Better Archway Forum, to discuss options for the future of the mall.
Lazari now owns three acres of land at the heart of the planned Archway regeneration scheme, including the mall and concourse and Hill House office block.

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