An illustration of how the new project on Karangahape Rd could look.
An illustration of how the new project on Karangahape Rd could look.
A new $250 million Karangahape Rd apartment, hotel and theatre project has been proposed, with air bridges linking to an existing iconic apartment block.
Details have been released of plans for The McGreggor to have 39 apartments, a five-star boutique hotel and 50 to 60-seat theatre.
Air bridges are shownlinking the new project to the existing George Court apartment building on the corner of Karangahape Rd and Mercury Lane.
Actor and director Raymond Hawthorne, who owns and lives in a George Court apartment with wide views, expressed anger about the proposal partly because the announcement was issued his photograph and quotes from a Herald article where he expressed concern about a building on the site next to his block.
"It's rubbish. It will be a disaster. I'm unimpressed. I'm furious," Hawthorne said today of the proposed new building.
But the announcement predicted a good outcome.
"The proposed site, next to the iconic George Court building wouldn't be completely covered, as has been previously proposed in a contentious consent already granted to Northern Escapes," the announcement said.
"Well known George Court resident Raymond Hawthorne was quoted in a New Zealand Herald article in March this year saying of Northern Escapes' proposed building, 'It's going to block out our views, our sunlight...it's going to block out everything'.
How the new project could look from Cross St behind Karangahape Rd.
"In direct contrast The McGreggor would have an easement, a cross site link along the eastern wall of George Court, in effect, a new urban street. Not only linking K Rd to Cross St, creating a new public space in the vein of K Rd's existing architecture and arcades, but also providing the opportunity for eastern facing residents of George court to add a balcony.
"Already this option has been exercised by two of the George Court residents," the announcement said.
Ownership of properties within the proposed block is to be a co-operative and only New Zealand citizens will be allowed in, the announcement says.
Raymond Hawthorne in his George Court apartment. Photo/Dean Purcell
"Utilising the latest world leading environmental technologies is not the most revolutionary aspect of the project; the ownership model is a cooperative. While similar to co-ops that have long successfully operated in New York and London apartment buildings, The McGreggor cooperative is vastly different in two regards. Firstly, membership is open to New Zealand residents only.
"And secondly the cooperative retains ownership of the commercial properties in the building, providing income for the members from the rents and the sale of power generated by the self sustaining building. As far as we know this model is a world first," the statement said.
