Auckland’s skyline is experiencing a renaissance, with some of the largest projects in New Zealand history being constructed concurrently. Rider Levett Bucknall’s Crane Index identified 83 cranes on Auckland’s skyline in Q1 2018, the highest count since their report commenced in 2014. We outline five of these transformational projects below:
Commercial Bay – Office & Retail
The $681 million Commercial Bay development will bring a whole new concept to Auckland’s waterfront. The project is being developed by NZX listed Precinct Properties and is being constructed by Fletcher Construction. The 39 storey, 39,000 square metre office tower will sit on top of a three storey, 18,000 square metre shopping centre. Part of the retail complex anchored by H&M is opening in Q3 2018 with the balance of the retail centre and office tower due for completion in 2019. The new underground rail system (the City Rail Link) will traverse below the development. The office tower will be anchored by PwC while the retail centre component includes a 700-seat food hall with a 10 metre stud height which will be known as Harbour Eats.
The Pacifica – Residential and Hotel
The Pacifica is an apartment tower being developed by Hengyi – a Chinese owned, Melbourne based developer. The building will reach 178 metres over 57 storeys comprising 295 apartments, 35 hotel suites and have retail space on the ground floor. Asking prices start at NZD $642,000 and exceed NZD $1 million for “Skyhomes” on the upper levels. Construction has commenced and the project is set to finish in September 2020.
Seascape – Residential and Hotel
The construction of New Zealand’s tallest residential building has commenced. Seascape will reach a staggering 187 metres, with 221 apartments and a mix of hotel, retail, leisure and commercial areas. The 52 level tower is being developed by Chinese conglomerate Shundi and is being constructed by China Construction. Part of the construction will include the conversion of the former Ballantyne House office building into a 4.5 star San He Yuan Hotel. Completion is scheduled for 2021.
Park Hyatt – Hotel
This year, New Zealand’s first ever Park Hyatt hotel will open in Auckland. The luxury seven storey hotel is being developed by Fu Wah in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter and will have unrivalled harbour, ocean and city views. The hotel will have a total floor area of 29,000 square metres with 195 rooms, food and beverage outlets, event spaces, spa, fitness centre and a 25 metre swimming pool. The property represents a premium hospitality destination and its development will also include the creation of new public spaces along the Viaduct Harbour’s edge.
New Zealand International Convention Centre – Business Tourism
The $703 million New Zealand International Convention Centre is currently being built by Fletcher Construction. Owned by NZX listed SkyCity, the property is located within the Sky Tower and Casino precinct. Spread over three levels, the 32,000 square metre facility will be the largest purpose-built convention centre in the country and when complete, it is predicted to contribute NZD $90 million in tourism expenditure each year. The convention centre will have the ability to accommodate approximately 3,000 delegates and is scheduled for completion in 2019.
By the end of 2021, these five projects will have irrevocably changed the character of Auckland’s skyline. Despite their architectural merits and soaring heights, these projects will grow the number of CBD residents, provide new retail concepts never before seen in New Zealand and help to develop and accommodate high value business tourism.
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