Change is occurring on many corners of the city, through small project delivery and refreshing high-traffic areas like Pancake Parklet and Freyberg Square and more.
With much excitement, the City Rail Link construction works break ground on a project that will truly transform the Auckland’s City Centre.
An exciting new dining and services hub popped up in the Queens Wharf Village this summer, providing visitors and workers with temporary alternatives for food, drink and financial services while the redevelopment and construction works of the Downtown Shopping Centre and City Rail Link are underway.
The village offers culinary delights from Kapai, St Pierre’s Sushi, Cinta Malaysian, The White Lady, Wolf Coffee, and treats from Grab More and services from Fexco Money Exchange. If you haven’t checked it out, head on down to whet your palate and experience the best scenery in town!
Pancake Parklet: A pedestrian paradise
No.1 Pancake is expanding! To many pancake lovers’ content the city’s most renowned Korean pancake shop will have a spot for customers to eat and enjoy.
The additional pedestrian space, known as ‘Pancake Parklet’ will calm the pinch point on Lorne Street that affects through-traffic to Wellesley Street. This trial project, as part of Auckland Council’s Tactical Urban Intervention Programme, aims to deliver small projects through lighter, quicker and cheaper approaches, so that city-goers can continue to enjoy the amazing attractions of the big smoke. The parklet will be ready to go from 3 July.
Freyberg Place is taking shape
The lively location, to be outfitted with a mixture of New Zealand native bush including Pohutakawa trees and Nikau palms, several staircase landscapes and a through road, will allow pedestrians and vehicles to harmoniously use the space.The Lord Freyberg Statue and plaque are temporarily in storage, but will return once construction is complete.
The open-concept design integrates Freyberg Place with Pioneer Women’s and Ellen Melville Hall. As a venue for music concerts, physical and spiritual fitness and theatre performances, the community centre desperately needs a face lift to improve dated features, amenities and increase user benefits. To get the process started, bookings for the hall will close 1 July. The square is taking shape with construction scheduled for August 2016.
Out with the old and in with the new
Since the Prime Minister turned the first soil in February, construction work is well underway on the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC). Demolition is nearly complete on what will be a great piece of infrastructure for Auckland. Excavation will take nine months starting in July.
NZICC, in partnership with New Zealand’s largest construction firm Fletcher Construction, is creating a beautifully transparent and accessible building. The feedback for design from the international conventions market has been very positive. Design philosophies of flexibility, adaptability and scalability are resonating well with future users. Expected completion of NZICC is early 2019.
Lighting the way at the Pioneer Women’s and Ellen Melville Hall
You may also have noticed an impressive new lighting installation on the ground floor of the Pioneer Women’s and Ellen Melville Hall. We flicked the switch on the new lights curated by lighting designer, Angus Muir.
The impressive installation signals the upcoming change in Freyberg Square and the Pioneer Women’s and Ellen Melville Hall. Angus Muir is an internationally recognised light designer and has worked on a number of amazing projects in Auckland and abroad.
A flash mob of construction workers, team members and professional dancers launched the CRL ground-breaking ceremony on 2 June, attended by Mayor Len Brown, Auckland Transport chairman Dr Lester Levy, Prime Minister John Key and Minister of Transport Simon Bridges. The event officially marked the start of the CRL construction.
Auckland’s future and its youth were to the fore with Waitakere College lending their kapa haka group and head girl Alyssa Wheeler as the MC. Dr Levy said the CRL, coupled with bus improvements and major investment in other infrastructure such as roads and highways, was the only way to keep Auckland moving.
The event concluded with a fiery finale as John Key and Len Brown Pushed a detonator, which created an explosion releasing a cluster of 100% biodegradable balloons into the beautifully, clear blue sky.
Auckland Conversations hosted another healthy discussion on 23 June: The Future of Housing in Auckland. Many perspectives were presented as the audience had a chance to ask a panel of experts questions. Some panel insights brought up in the discussion were:
More potential home owners want to live in an urban environment
Collapsing house prices by at least 40% through amended public policy will make home ownership more affordable
Building up and out through amended resource consents
Emphasis on proximity and access to City Centre than ownership
Implementing a land tax for homeowners to help incentivise new developments
While most rate payers believe the next generations of Auckland are still chasing the ‘quarter acre dream’, the paradigm has shifted to show the kiwi dream looking very different than previously thought
From 20 June to early July, Downers will be carrying out pedestrian improvements to Commerce and Galway Street. The work includes completing a signalised pedestrian crossing and improving the footpaths on Commerce Street.
Footpath work will be carried out between 9am-3pm weekdays, and 9am-7pm weekends; work within the roadway will take place between 7pm-5am. Commerce Street will be closed to north-bound traffic with Galway Street used as the detour.
Pedestrian access and business delivery access will be maintained and traffic controllers will be assisting with vehicle and pedestrian movements during work hours. Downers will also be carrying out a lighting upgrade in Galway Street in approximately two weeks’ time.
Join Auckland Conversations on 6 July to hear Gil Penalosa, Founder and Director of 8 80 Cities, discuss how we can create vibrant and healthy cities for everyone, regardless of age or social status.
For the fifth consecutive year, Auckland’s Aotea Square is bringing magical, wintry, carnival fun to the city.
The skating ice rink will return alongside the rip-roaring 35m-long double-lane ice slide as well as the always exciting Penguin Kids' Zone. We’re adding to the icy atmosphere with life-size polar bears, penguins and seals as well as a stunning light display to transform the Square.
With special menu offers in over 100 participating restaurants and more than 25 unique dining events, there’s never been a better time to try something new this Restaurant Month.
Enjoy tasting extraordinary food created by chefs from around the world with the Chef Dining Series, dare to try something different with Dinner in the Dark or fulfil your cheese dreams with The Big Cheese.
