An artist's impression of the Auckland Downtown Carpark redevelopment. This shows only one new tower but two are in the latest plans. Photo / Precinct Properties
An artist's impression of the Auckland Downtown Carpark redevelopment. This shows only one new tower but two are in the latest plans. Photo / Precinct Properties
New Zealand’s tallest new tower where people live or work is planned to rise 222.5m high in downtown Auckland a block from the waterfront.
Precinct Properties revealed its plans with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei for the Downtown Carpark redevelopment Te Pūmanawa o Tāmaki in its successful application to be included inthe new Fast-track Approvals Act 2024, passed before Christmas.
The 56-level tower is to rise on the Downtown Carpark site which Precinct is buying from Auckland Council’s Eke Panuku for $122 million.
The unfinished $300 million 56-level Seascape near Britomart is 187m tall but Precinct’s tower is 35.5m taller.
The project comprises the demolition of the existing carpark building and the construction of two towers.
That is because the Precinct floors are to have more generous internal stud heights.
So although both towers are to be 56 levels, Precinct’s Downtown skyscraper will be taller than Shundi Customs’ tower near the Britomart where work stopped months ago after a dispute between builder China Construction and Shundi.
None of these residential towers are as tall as SkyCity Entertainment Group’s 328m SkyTower.
The Pacifica 273-unit apartment tower built by Icon is 57 levels and 178.7m high. That tower at 10 Commerce St was completed in 2020.
Warren & Mahoney and Oslo-headquartered Snohetta were listed by Precinct as the architects.
Precinct revealed the height of two towers planned when it applied to win fast-tracking via new law passed just before Christmas.
The project comprises the demolition of the existing carpark building and the construction of two towers.
Tower one is approximately 56 levels or 222.5m high. That is to be situated west of the existing AON House tower;
Tower two is approximately 41 levels or 164.5m high is to be built closer to Lower Hobson St on the western side of the site.
The proposed twin towers on the site of the Downtown Carpark building in Auckland.
Three podium buildings are also planned:
Podium one beneath tower one;
Podium two beneath tower two;
Podium three with “a significant new public realm including an extensive new laneway network and civic space – Te Urunga Hau, the Urban Room,” the application says.
Construction is planned of:
62,500sq m premium office space within the low and midrise of tower one and podium buildings one and two;
51,000sq m of residential gross floor area providing for 300 to 350 apartments with a mix of typologies in tower two and within the high rise of tower one;
2500sq m of retail and hospitality;
3300sq m of new public space within the site boundary;
Five-level basement for 613 carparks for apartment and office owners/tenants;
Associated interventions to podia of Aon House and HSBC Building to enable connection and access through the block.
Precinct Properties chief executive Scott Pritchard. Photo / Dean Purcell
The act lists the project under P for Precinct in schedule two where 149 projects appear.
That says a 170,000 sq m mixed-use commercial and residential precinct is planned including the two towers, three podiums and a laneway network for:
Residential space providing 300 to 350 apartments;
Retail and hospitality;
A new civic space;
A five-level basement for approximately 613 carparks.
The site is on the corner of Customs St and Lower Albert St.
The $122m to Eke Panuku is payable at the end of this year with Auckland Transport operating the carpark till then, according to Precinct’s statement issued in November 2023.
While design is under way, development timing will depend on factors including demand, feasibility and consenting processes, the company said.
Chris Dibble, JLL’s research head, said the main tower’s height was “an inevitable desire” to bring more people, commercial and retail activities into the CBD, an “exciting opportunity due to its mixed-use nature”.
The Downtown Carpark which Precinct bought.
“This is an incredible, once in a generation, opportunity to enhance the vibrancy of Auckland’s city centre, and to create a seamless connection along the waterfront,” Precinct chief executive Scott Pritchard said.
“Our ambition is to deliver a true mixed-use precinct encompassing office, residential, and hospitality as well as new urban spaces for residents and the public.”
Initial designs for the 6442sq m site are for a centralised podium sitting beneath two high-rise towers, Precinct announced two years ago.
Anne Gibson has been the Herald’s property editor for 24 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.
