Auckland's Wynyard Quarter attracts interest aplenty

by Sea+City Projects on 7 May 2010 There has already been strong interest in a key marine site in Wynyard Quarter, which is currently open for expressions of interest. Several parties, mostly local, have already confirmed their interest and are working on development ideas for the 2.8ha land and water space at the corner of Jellicoe and Beaumont streets.

John Dalzell, Chief Executive and Project Director of Sea+City Projects Ltd, the company leading and managing the revitalisation of Wynyard Quarter at the western end of Auckland’s waterfront, says it has worked hard with the New Zealand Marine Industry Association to make sure the site provides all the facilities they need to grow.

'If the site is fully developed in accordance with the concept plans, which include workshops with show rooms, a sail loft and a roof-top rig yard, a 600 tonne boat lift, a 12 storey building with apartments on the upper levels and new berthage, it will give a huge boost to the superyacht refit market,' he says.

Over the next 20 – 25 years around 29 hectares of Auckland’s waterfront within Wynyard Quarter will be transformed in stages into a harbour-side community with parks and plazas, apartments, shops and offices alongside the traditional marine and fishing industries. It is one of the largest waterfront urban renewal developments ever undertaken in New Zealand.

The regeneration project is a cooperative venture co-funded by Auckland Regional Holdings (ARH), the majority landowner, and Auckland City Council, which will own the roads, promenades, wharfs, parks and plazas. Auckland City Council will also share ownership of the large headland public space with Auckland Regional Council (ARC).

New Zealand Marine Industry Association Executive Director, Peter Busfield, says that expansion of our current superyacht refit facilities will send a reassuring message to skippers and owners of superyachts around the world.

'Our marine skills have always been widely recognised and valued, but at the moment we could be turning away up to $50m worth of refit work a year because we don’t have the facilities. Expansion of existing facilities will mean we can handle many more than the 18 refits a year that we currently do, generating foreign exchange earnings and creating more jobs and apprenticeships in the boatbuilding industry,' he says.

The Auckland Regional Holdings-owned site currently being marketed is on the western edge of Wynyard Quarter, and is part of a marine precinct that includes 100 other marine-related businesses. Expressions of interest are currently open for the purchase of the leasehold interest in the marine site. Once this first stage of the process closes on May 17, short-listed parties will be invited to submit detailed offers, probably in September.

Wynyard Quarter is being transformed over a 20 to 25-year period into a mixed use, harbour-side community with parks and plazas, apartments, shops and offices alongside the traditional marine and fishing industries. Work is already well underway on the first stage of the waterfront axis along Jellicoe Street, which is planned to be largely complete by the Rugby World Cup next year, says Mr Dalzell.

'We’re on track to have North Wharf with its waterfront promenade, fish market and cafes operating, the public open space at the western end of Jellicoe Street, and Gateway Plaza at the eastern end of Jellicoe Street complete. Auckland City Council’s bridge across to Te Wero Island that connects Wynyard Quarter with the CBD and rest of the waterfront, and the Viaduct Events Centre are also planned to be finished by Rugby World Cup next year.'

Another recent vote of confidence in the area’s revitalisation was the announcement of the new ASB headquarters to be developed and owned by Kiwi Income Property Trust. The building, which is planned to be complete by 2013, will be on the corner of Halsey and Jellicoe streets.

To find out more about what is happening in Wynyard Quarter, please visit www.seacity.co.nz.

For more information, contact John Dalzell
Sea+City Projects Ltd Chief Executive and Project Director
(09) 336 8820