Proposed 26-level tower will change Auckland City landscape

The tower will stand between Ballantyne House and the Rose & Crown Tavern. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Part of an Auckland CBD block could be redeveloped in plans for a $200 million office tower.

Developer Tim Edney has applied for resource consent to build a 26-level office tower opposite the Britomart buildings in the block between Customs St East, Gore St, Gore St Lane and Fort St.

While the refurbished 21 Queen St stands almost empty and other Auckland tenants such as BNZ and Deloitte vacate blocks for new towers, Edney said he was confident he could fill a new block.

His building would offer a third of a hectare of premium-quality floorspace.

Through his company Waikoro, Edney went to the Auckland City Council seeking permission to develop a 35,305sq m building, expected to appeal to a bank tenant wanting a landmark building with naming rights.

Edney said he had not developed a tower before but was confident of success.

"We're just investors, normally. We have been working in the industrial sector but it's become pretty hard there so we moved into the CBD three or four years ago and just got a lot of properties together, keeping a low profile. Tenants are critical to this development."

He said he expected to start work soon.

The tower design is thin and tall to minimise the effect on viewshafts from the Vero Centre and Lumley Centre on Shortland St.

A report by Auckland City said Edney's tower would change the face of the area.

"The applicant seeks to establish a landmark building both in terms of innovative design and environmental sustainability," said Auckland City senior planner Earl Brookbanks, who handled Edney's application to demolish and build on a non-notified or secret basis.

Edney's application is for 69, 71-77, 87 and 95-105 Customs St East, leaving two buildings on the site.

The development will retain the Rose & Crown Tavern and a 12-level office tower to the east, Ballantyne House, Auckland City said.

The 424sq m pink tavern has a Category B Historic Places Trust rating and Edney plans to refurbish it.

The tower, planned to be developed on a site between the pub and the glass office building, will have double-glazing, sun-control screening, chilled beams, winter gardens on levels 10 and 20, roof gardens, solar panels, recycling systems for grey water, rainwater collection systems and parks for cycles.

NEW TOWER
* To rise 26 levels in city
* Six basement levels
* 17m-deep hole to be dug
* 235 carparks
* Storage for 100 bikes
* 23 levels of offices
* Eco-friendly design