Viv Beck is chief executive of Heart of the City
Midtown is the new Downtown. Not the same, but an exciting proposition that is set to go, with key ingredients already in place.
That’s a take-out from JLL’s latest study, which highlights $10 billion of public and private investment driving change in this area.
The great thing is, you don’t have to look far to see this progress manifesting.
The opening last month of the NZ International Convention Centre was a tremendous moment in time, six years after its planned opening. The unique way it tells the story of our city and country, with artworks, lighting and hospitality, is quite moving. Its magnificent design sets it apart from the often monolithic, grey-walled facilities I’ve seen offshore, with expansive views of our harbour and surrounding area from within. Overall, it’s a significant marker for the critical role it will play in the regeneration of midtown.
I was pleased to participate in the first official business event – a panel discussion facilitated by Jack Tame with the topic “Auckland’s New Economic Engine: What NZICC Unlocks for the City and New Zealand”. It will bring a significant boost, with its unique offering and new venue size options, which will help to grow the events market – with business events ready to become more prominent. To date, 120 events are confirmed for 2026, music to the ears of surrounding businesses.
The value of events and conventions has been demonstrated over again – more than 20,000 people here for a Jehovah’s Witness convention in January was a classic example - people with pink vests and lanyards on every corner, shopping, eating out and adding a warm, friendly vibrancy. Metallica’s one-off show in November even outstripped the spending benefits of Coldplay a year earlier, bearing in mind it coincided with 3800 people here for the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education, the largest academic conference ever held in New Zealand.
After a decade representing people at the heart of so much disruption, this is the best news. And there’s much more.
Tourism numbers are at 95% of pre-Covid levels and there has been ongoing investment in hotels to support growth. In midtown, we have recently seen the addition of Radisson RED – a creative jewel in the heart of our arts and cultural quarter, and a tremendous example of sustainable redevelopment. It wasn’t easy and ideally there would be incentives to make such repurposing more cost-effective but hats off to Stonewood Group for what they have achieved.
Not far off, DoubleTree by Hilton is under development; a rebrand of the President Hotel to Edit Auckland Central and you get the picture of a place poised to welcome more and more guests.
Students are another major good news story. A few weeks ago, we welcomed 200 first-time international students to our city at an event in Elliott St, the heart of midtown. Student numbers are back to pre-Covid levels and just a short walk away, it’s inspiring to see so many living within a stone’s throw of their lectures. Hospitality in the wider midtown area has grown organically to suit diverse student needs and we expect much more retail and other convenience offerings to join.
Workspaces have changed markedly too. Top marks to Quattro group for their evolution of the modern office, with A-grade facilities, community and event spaces. Alberts, the heritage building at 1 Albert St and The Formery right by the midtown CRL station, Te Waihorotiu are both largely leased. Just down the road in Victoria St, they are redeveloping four interconnected buildings, including the former Finance Centre, to create The Exchange by Alberts. PAG’s Mosaic was also an insightful choice in Wakefield Street, with “plug-and-play” office with coworking spaces, wellness facilities and a podcast studio.
Nearby, Queen St has its fair share of exciting change coming too. The St James redevelopment is underway – good news for those looking forward to a new venue for live music. Cartier will reveal its magnificent new boutique in lower Queen St later in the year, along with luxury department store Faradays and the redeveloped Queen’s Arcade.
Finally, the City Rail Link. Much talked about and long awaited. Still no confirmed opening date but getting close to making it easier and faster for people to get here.
There is a lot still to come but the threads are there. And, with Auckland’s population on track to reach two million within the decade, and a drive to intensify housing in the core city centre, it will be a pleasure to watch as people get used to jumping on and off the train, with dinner to take home after work or better still – to eat out, watch a show and then head home.
Heart of the City is a sponsor of the Herald’s Project Auckland report.