The world's biggest shopping centre owner, Westfield, plans to build a 41-storey skyscraper on its Downtown site at the bottom of Queen St. It will be one of the tallest buildings in Auckland and the tallest on the waterfront, soaring over the nearby 26-storey PricewaterhouseCoopers and 19-storey HSBC towers. At 67 storeys, the proposed 259-unit Elliott apartment tower on the corner of Elliott, Albert and Victoria Sts will be Auckland's tallest building, almost as tall as the 328m-high Sky Tower.
Herald graphic of the proposed Westfield skyscraper
Planning commissioners Greg Hill and Conway Stewart yesterday gave Westfield the nod to proceed with the tower on a non-notified basis, meaning the public will not get to have a say. The commissioners, appointed by Auckland City Council, are expected to decide this week whether to grant resource consent for the building, which will have a two-level retail podium and 39 storeys of office/plant space. Council officers have recommended the building be granted resource consent with conditions. Westfield NZ director Justin Lynch said the first step was to get resource consent. The company had yet to determine the timing of the project. It has created a stir among transport agencies because it is right above a proposed $1 billion underground loop from Britomart to Mt Eden. Westfield and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority have been discussing how to build the foundations to allow a tunnel to pass under the building. Mr Lynch said the company was looking at engineering and geotechnical designs in conjunction with the transport authority. Authority chief Fergus Gammie said the rail loop had to be protected "and we will be ensuring that happens". Currently, there is no designation over the planned 3.5km tunnel between Britomart and Mt Eden, which would run beneath Albert St with underground stations near Wellesley St and Karangahape Rd.By turning Britomart into a through station, the loop would make it possible for 400,000 Aucklanders to reach the central business district within 30 minutes by rail, doubling the existing catchment.
Scary monster that belonged to the 70's. The skyline is bad enough with its conglomerate of second or third tier architecture, please don't add another just for context. NZ architects are actually quite articulate and creative, I'm surprised to see this. Is this American or does it want or need to be American. It's a sorry sight to behold, get back to the drawing board, throw in some jabs, bring home some inspiration, look at London, Paris, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Madrid and then make a NZ Auckland afresh.
by Jean
Wednesday 02 June, 2010
I'm not from New Zealand but currently living in New Zealand for almost 2 years. What I picked up from a few New Zealander's is that they are scared of development. Come on New Zealand and develop this country to become one of the most desired countries on earth. Stop being scared of development and build the building!!!!
by Andrew
Wednesday 01 April, 2009
Auckland is about the size of Adelaide and has a better skyline. It is a harbour city and the building will enhance its prestige. The construction will create jobs which are presently needed.
by Calamity
Wednesday 05 November, 2008
Of Course there's nothing wrong with this tower. People in Auckland just like to moan and whinge about anything thats going to enhance the CBD...No wonder we are always left with the third best, half arsed options in the end!
by James
Monday 27 October, 2008
I don't see what is so bad with this design, I hope to see it built - the downtown mall is an eyesore. Would you prefer to look at that disgusting old relic of a mall or a shiny new glass cl added skyscraper; one that will further enhance Auckland's skyline?
by TSO
Thursday 24 July, 2008
Regarding the issue of the aesthetical design of the proposed Westfield Group Tower, I wish to remind those commenting upon this that the image shown is a “Herald graphic of the proposed Westfield skyscraper” and not a formalised, and resolved depiction.
