Under cloud cover...

Photo / Greg Bowker

The steel-framed Cloud at the Rugby World Cup "Party Central" in Auckland is starting to resemble a visible mass of watery vapour with the installation of the opaque fabric forming the roof and wall panels.

For the past month, the large 178.5m steel frame has risen on the western side of Queens Wharf. Shortly, 8500sq m of roof fabric produced in France will cover the frame and give Aucklanders a picture of the $9.8 million structure that will host trade displays, media and VIPs.

Rather than being a party venue for revellers, the Cloud will host displays touting New Zealand's agriculture, forestry and fisheries, fashion shows and a food and beverage expo.

Rugby fans will watch Cup games on big screens and listen to live performances outside.

Waterfront Auckland chairman Bob Harvey says the Queens Wharf redevelopment involves the Cloud, repairs to the wharf structure and a $4 million upgrade to Shed 10 that includes a new roof, exterior cladding and doors.

Over coming months the historic red fence will be repaired and reinstated and the entrance and exit points from Quay St improved.

The first of two 29-tonne bridge spans linking the Viaduct Harbour with the Wynyard Quarter have also been installed.

The 100m Wynyard crossing will be a pedestrian and cycling bridge between Te Wero Island at the Viaduct and the new Gateway Plaza, one of six public projects at Wynyard Quarter due to open in time for the Cup.

The first 22m-long opening span of the double bascule (opening) bridge was lifted on to a barge and floated to the middle of the channel before being hoisted into place by a 90-tonne crane.