If the final stages of the controversial East End development hadn't been approved, Alicen Lewis says she would have shut her three Hunter Street Mall businesses and moved her family out of Newcastle East.
"There is only so much we can take of the low patronage, the break-ins and broken windows every week, and the anti-social behavior that's getting increasingly worse," Ms Lewis said.
The third and fourth stages of the $160-million project will go ahead after an independent planning panel overturned a previous decision. That initial call had rejected the proposal after it added three extra floors to a new building in front of the Newcastle Club and five storeys to another apartment tower.
Ms Lewis, who owns Ground Floor Cafe, Market St Basement and Neighbours on Market Street, said the East End development would put the Newcastle CBD "back on the map" after it had been "left to rot for a decade".
"Newcastle is one of the only cities in Australia with a harbour, beaches, a CBD and a cathedral all within walking distance," she said.
"It has so much potential. This development will be a catalyst for a lot more investment into the mall in the future and bring derelict buildings back to life."
The height of the development and the impact it would have on the city's skyline, including the Christ Church Cathedral, have been at the centre of the debate.
Anglican dean of Newcastle Katherine Bowyer said although she accepted the decision, she was saddened and disappointed "the view of the cathedral across the breadth of the city is going to be lost".
"My concern with the proposed development and its building heights, is that the cathedral would be obscured from being visually part of the city," Dean Bowyer said.
"I want to live in a beautiful city that blends heritage concerns with modern development, not one at the expense of the other."
Newcastle Club asset manager Ian Brown said his organisation was obviously disappointed, but it was now time to move on.
"Let us hope that all of Iris' promises are kept, as they have taken on a lot of responsibility to maintain and enhance the city's most historic site," Mr Brown said.
"We congratulate Iris on their perseverance and resilience in getting their approval, the planning panel has placed a lot of trust in them to now finish the job.
"Let's hope the public don't regret and lament misplacing that trust."
Ms Lewis said the compromise that had been reached was "what's best for the community and the city as a whole".
"If this wasn't approved, I have no doubt that I would have relocated my family for safety reasons and closed all three of my businesses," she said.
"Other businesses are all of the same view, but we are willing to persevere now. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.
"We can see the potential and we hope to reap the rewards when the CBD is revitalised."
The Herald contacted Iris Capital chief executive Sam Arnaout, however he is overseas.
