K Road was New Zealand's Premier shopping street. Due to clearances of so called "slum' properties to make way for a number of motorways and the relocation of prostitutes from the lower part of Freemans Bay to K Road, The shopping area went into a significant decline. The remaining 'slum' properties are now among Auckland's most expensive properties, by cost per square metre.
There remains some good quality shops but not many. Though due to the decline there remains a number of interesting buildings on the road, as property developers have generally ignored the area.
However, there are a number of good bars cafes and restaurants, Coco's Cantina being the best and most popular restaurant on the road. At one end there is the Langham, a good 5 star hotel with its SPE bar and restaurant, at the other Paradish an upmarket Chinese restaurant. There is a range of other cafes and restaurants from bad to good, but generally inexpensive.
Yes there is prostitution in the area. It is not clear why the prostitutes moved from their old location around Victoria Park ( the site of an old US Barracks) but it did occur when the motorway was being built and may be linked to encouraging "respectable" people from the area and to reduce the compensation payable for businesses and residents. The move to K Road was unusual as the area contains a Girls school and number of churches however as the school and churches are seen as Polynesian that may be an influence. Needless to say if the 'girls' moved on to operate next to Epson Girls Grammar or the Diocesan Grammar school there would have been major complaints.
K Road has more than its share of 'characters" as does Queen St. A number can be easily recognised as 'out patients' from the local mental health unit. "Care in the community" can be easily confused with lack of care. Most are harmless, but one should always have ones wits about you for when they have had too many drugs legal or otherwise.
The bars and clubs chop and change with the latest 'fashion', as it is close to a lot of student accommodation a number of clubs cater for students like most similar university cities.
There are a number of gay bars as well.
There are a number of new apartment developments on or just off K road, these should bring more life to the area when the developments have been completed.
As a local resident I have no issues walking the street during the day or night.






