WELLINGTON: City Development (Part 1)

[flyin_higher]

Covering all new developments/ and projects under construction in the Capital City of Wellington. Will update when needed.

Bolton Apartments, 20 levels.
http://www.boltonapartments.co.nz/Images/perspective.jpg
Status- nearing completion externally


Museum Apartments, 10 levels
http://www.museumapartments.co.nz/images/from-torylrg.jpg
Status- under construction

Holiday Inn Hotel-Apartment Tower, 14 levels
http://www.holidayinnwellington.co.nz/splashpage/image01.jpg
Status- approved. I was in Wellington a week or so ago, and walked past the site, there was a large billboard up advertising the project, so all looks set to go.

There is a proposed 12 level mulit-use tower opposite the Duxton Hotel on Jervois Quay corner, subject to a resource consent.

There are 2 new Government Ministry buildings, one under construction for the Ministry for the Environment (10 levels), and one about to be built for the Ministry of Defence, 10 levels also.
Both are in the Thorndon area, adjacent to the CBD/Parliament.

Also, the Wellington City Council has recently taken in development proposals for a sizeable site in the CBD, known as "Chews Lane", which has variying height restrrictions, but can go up to 90m on one part. Nothing has yet been decided, but it will contain a mix of retail. apartments and office.

:cheers:

[Marky Mark]

Wellington must be in my top 5 cities in the world , has atmosphere like no other , be good to see some more action there. :cheers1:

[sam_L]

Yay! finally a Wellington thread. Those museum apartments look pretty classy. If only we had a forumer that lived down there so we could get some photos.

[Marky Mark]

From what I hear there is also a bit of a mini skyline over Lower Hutt way as well which would be good to see :)

[flyin_higher]

Well thats an urban myth my friend, no such skyline exists in Lower Hutt, just a couple of small office blocks, 6-7 levels.

Palmerston North, which is not far from wellington (less than 2 hrs), on the other hand does have a skyline, with 3 towers up to 12/13 levels, and a number of 7-10 level buildings, which are grouped around 'The Square', which reinforces the effect of a skyline.

[atkinson1]

Yes Palmerston North feels suprising urban driving through the city centre with it's little skyline and mini-Bank West tower.

[NZer]

That Bolton Apartments tower looks real good.
It's nice to know theres more goin on around NZ than just in Auckland :)

[Taipei101]

^ Well Dunedin and Hamiton need more buildings.

[NZer]

Hamilton has plenty for a 150,000 cow town

[Taipei101]

Like a hospital, few 5 stories maybe and an old deka store.

[NZer]

It has more than that buddy,trust me I go through the place all the time.

[NZer]

And as for Dunedin,I think it's historic architecture probably more than makes up for a lack of bland modern office buildings

[atkinson1]

Yeah and they dont have an octagon with a statue of a guy sitting down, for nothing y'know.

[BruceAlmighty]

Yeah and they dont have an octagon with a statue of a guy sitting down, for nothing y'know.

Robbert (Robbie) Burns

[NZer]

Does the statue have a black eye and a bottle in it's hand ? :D

[flyin_higher]

New 15 level apartment development- 'The Argus'
http://www.tommys.co.nz/upload/images/normal/1318-RES3315-1.jpg

[atkinson1]

EDIT Images Removed

[NZer]

Yay ! Go Wellington !!

just keeps gettin denser.

[Marky Mark]

Stunning ! will add even more to an already beautiful Skyline , 20 x more exciting than the new Air New Zealand Building .

:) http://www.vnz.co.nz/photos/wallpaper/800x600/100e.jpg

Can anyone tell me what that building is , first Tall from the left ? that one must be sort of new.

[flyin_higher]

Cheers for posting that Tom, I saw it in the NBR yesterday too, but didn't have time to post it.
Great news though- More scrapers and density for the Capital!! And even better cause I can keep project updates as Wellington isn't very far from Palmy!
Design looks alright. :carrot: More glass= class :carrot:

[atkinson1]

More glass= class

That's the spirit bro.

Can anyone tell me what that building is , first Tall from the left ? that one must be sort of new.

If I remember correctly that one is 'Mobil on Park' - Mobil being the company (a chain of Service Stations), and Park being the name of the Street. It's near the Beehive.

[Marky Mark]

There has been a few new buildings spring up since I lived there ,and looks like alot more to come .

God I had some good times in that city ,some that spring to mind .

1] Best mate steven geting bashed over the head with a beer bottle by a big Maori drag Queen !
2]Being interviewed about nightlife in Wellingtons infamous Hole in the Wall nightclub when we weren't able to put three words together , I'm afraid it was put on tele.
3]At the same Club not that I used to go there alot meeting this person who was Prince Edwards bed partner for a while at Wanganui college or wherever he went and it was n't the Female variety either !
4]Untold parties at Goverment House [held by staff ] when the general was away,He would of choked on his Tea and Scones if he new what went on ther when he was away;best memory was pulling up to the secruity gate in my bright red cortina GT that had Mags on it that fat that she would rub like crazy on the Guards on the slightest of corners , but anyway we did her up complete with nz flags on top of front guards , when youre half wasted driving up such a formal property we just lost it -you would have to have been there.
5] best mate again Vomiting while riding a mechanical bucking Horse at a Ansett xmas do -wasn't a pretty site !
I had better stopor i'll rave on for ever,I have to get to work anyway .
:cheers: http://www.vnz.co.nz/photos/cities/wellington/043i.jpg

[atkinson1]

Lol sounds like some funny stuff went on. Nice pic too.

[CULWULLA]

thanks flying .will update ss.com asap

[CULWULLA]

heres the list ive put on ss.com over the past couple of years.
theres only 35 listed, i know theres more.

bldg/height/storeys/year
1. Majestic Centre 116 m 29 1991
2. State Insurance Tower 103 m 27 1983
3. HSBC Tower 94 m 25 2003
4. Bowen House 90 m 22 1991
5. Mobil on The Park 90 m 25 1998
6. IBM Centre 88 m 26 1998
7. Copthorne Plimmer Towers 84 m 25 1975
8. 125 The Terrace 77 m 21 1986
9. Customhouse Quay 70 m 18 2005
10. ANZ Bank Building 70 m 18 1983
11. Westpac Building 70 m 18 1978
12. PriceWaterhouseCoopers Tow.. 65 m 19 1988
13. Novell House 65 m 17 1975
14. Bolton Apartments 60 m 20 2004
15. No. 1 The Terrace 60 m 17 1978
16. Two Hunter Street 60 m 16 1991
17. City Tower 60 m 16 1991
18. Stafford House 55 m 14 1977
19. Holiday Inn Hotel 1 50 m 16 2005
20. Mercer Tower 50 m 15 1989
21. Telecom Tower 50 m 14 1988
22. Castrol House 50 m 14 1987
23. Westpac Trust Investment H.. 50 m 14 1982
24. Argus 45 m 15 2005
25. EDS House 45 m 14 1988
26. Paxus House 45 m 14 1980
27. Microsoft House 45 m 14 1975
28. BP House 45 m 12 1968
29. Tourism & Travel House 40 m 13 1970
30. 38 Waring Taylor 40 m 13 1965
31. The Summit 40 m 12 2005
32. Clayton Ford House 40 m 12 1995
33. Public Trust Building 40 m 12 1989
34. Ministry of Economic Devel.. 40 m 12 1989
35. Shell House 40 m 12 1960

[atkinson1]

I know this is only a pic, not an official project but I stumbled across it and thought I might as well post it bigger. Why the banana not?

EDIT Images Removed

[Marky Mark]

Can you tell me what that building is sort of in the Middle ,, pretty tall with the brownie reflective Glass , thats another one I did n't know exsisted .

Ta Marky Mark . :cheers:

Might be HSBC Tower going by culls List ?

[flyin_higher]

Hey Marky Mark, just in case Atkinson1 hasn't seen this post yet, I can let you know what it is.
The building is the HP Towr, with the HSBC Tower behind is, making it look like one building. The HP Tower has the bronze coloured reflective glass! It's a nice one! :cheers:

[Marky Mark]

Thanks Flying Higher ,can't believe how many new buildings have kneaked over recent years , thought Wellington had gone stagnent as far as new Highrise developments go ! Thanks to you and Atkinson for your TGA comments as well ,will be looking out for these new photos from ya Trip ! :cheers:

[atkinson1]

Here are some more since you're keen.

EDIT Images Removed

[flyin_higher]

Love those pics Tom, and love Lambton Quay- surely NZ's top CBD mainstreet!

[atkinson1]

Apart from the main street in Foxton.

[Marky Mark]

Can't beat Wellington on a fine Day , Four Media subjects stick in my mind from my time in Wellington .

1] If there was a major earthquake best place to be along Lampton Quay is inside a building as you would be shredded with falling Glass ,the street would end up with a 2 metre high pile of glass !

2] The Museum Hotel being rolled approx 120 metres down the road to its present location .

3]The City council placing rope inbetween parking meters for pedestrians to hang onto during windy storms .

4] Maori Legend predicts a major earthquake in Wellington where the huge claws of a Maori God [or something like that] rise out of the Harbour ,many believe the old railway tracks thrown into the harbour years ago will be those claws .

Sorry its not really an official Wellington project ,but interesting Goss :)

[Blend]

those street shots are great! very dense down low :D

[atkinson1]

The people in Wellington were cool to me.

[BruceAlmighty]

No offence to the Aklers here, but the Wellington CBD at street level really shits all over Auckland.

[atkinson1]

Yeah I'm not too offended lol.

[flyin_higher]

No offence to the Aklers here, but the Wellington CBD at street level really shits all over Auckland.

And i'd totally agree with that- although the Ak city council has put into action a cbd streetscapes renewal programme that should make the 'shitting over' less of a shitting, lol

[sam_L]

No offence to the Aklers here, but the Wellington CBD at street level really shits all over Auckland.

I'm not denying it.

[atkinson1]

the Ak city council has put into action a cbd streetscapes renewal programme that should make the 'shitting over' less of a shitting, lol

The only person that could help Auckland now is William Shatner.

[flyin_higher]

Well I mean it came down ot either him your someone less well known. Maybe you could do it Tom?!

[flyin_higher]

http://atkinson2.orcon.net.nz/wellyoffice.jpg
SOURCE: The National Business Review - August 27 2004
I have noticed by way of reading the Dominion-Post, that there have been several letters from Wellingtonians in protest at this project, mainly because of the demolition of the present historical building that is onsite- including one critical letter that discredited the design and such. While I am all for preserving brilliant examples of past architecture; most of the people who write such letters are those who wish to protect almost every historical piece of architecture- crazy, lol, and this particular building isn't that brilliant at all.
Its true what they say though, you have to know where you've come from, in order to understand where your going.
Personally I think the design is great, not spectacular, but great considering it is only 18 levels, in a city where the highest is 29!

[atkinson1]

Auckland is well known for having destroyed many famous historical buildings, and Wellington is well known for having not.

[MoxPearl]

hey guys this is my first post here... been looking at the forum for a while but decided to post now since im from wellington hehe

here are some more good pics.. (P.S it looks exactly like this today.. all blue sky.. no win.. sunny as) :D

http://vnz.co.nz/photos/wallpaper/1024x768/087c.jpg

http://vnz.co.nz/photos/wallpaper/800x600/080k.jpg


http://vnz.co.nz/photos/wallpaper/800x600/081k.jpg
Thats of oriental bay.. but there are *heaps* of new big buildings gone up there.. well not to big but really nice ones


http://www.ginini.com/nz/wellington/night.jpg

http://photosoc.wellington.net.nz/images/gallery/fullsize/gb_marinadusk.jpg

and some small pics of the magestic centre..

http://kipt.co.nz/upload/notion/contentimages/114_6_Level_3maj_center_left.gif
http://kipt.co.nz/upload/notion/sectionimages/360_maj_centre_addimg.gif

[Marky Mark]

It must be Xmas a new member for Wellington ,Yea!

[BruceAlmighty]

Auckland is well known for having destroyed many famous historical buildings, and Wellington is well known for having not.

I think Wellington destroyed as many of its historic buildings as Auckland. However Wellington CBD retained its function as a major retail and cultural district with a strong population base in the central city whereas Auckland disembowed its-self and became a dinosour skelleton.

[BruceAlmighty]

hey guys this is my first post here... been looking at the forum for a while but decided to post now since im from wellington hehe

here are some more good pics.. (P.S it looks exactly like this today.. all blue sky.. no win.. sunny as) :D


Welcome!

[flyin_higher]

Hey MoxPearl, good to have a Wellingtonian on board the forums!

[atkinson1]

Yo MoxPearl,

Awesome to have you join the forums man. Here's your complimentary Milo and Krispie biscuit.

[Marky Mark]

I think Wellington destroyed as many of its historic buildings as Auckland. However Wellington CBD retained its function as a major retail and cultural district with a strong population base in the central city whereas Auckland disembowed its-self and became a dinosour skelleton.

How true Bruce Almighty , many Wellington Buildings were demolished in the eighties after the new earthquake building codes were introduced in 1976 ,new codes are now been reviewed which could see other buildings either demolished or re-engineered and re-built . :)

[atkinson1]

Thought I might as well post this.

Just yesturday I noticed they started using the Wellington skyline as a background on the late news - usually it's just Auckland but it's good to see.

EDIT Images Removed

[MoxPearl]

thanx 4 da welcome :D hehe

[flyin_higher]

No probs man. Hey MoxPearl, do u think u would be able at some stage in the future, give us update pics of that 18 level office tower when its under construction? I don't know if you checked out the rest of the forums, but some of us like to keep up with construction progress, lol. I dunno if you can? u got a camera? I can make it to Wellington sometimes, being in Palmy and 2 hrs from Wellington and all.

[Marky Mark]

I was doing a bit of a search and found this Website showing stage three of the Terrace Height Apartments , www.TerraceHeights.co.nz . now for sale . :bash:
Is this old news or new ?

[flyin_higher]

No, no, thats definitely a new one! lol. I had never heard of it till now. Looks about 14 levels in the renders they show. The design looks fab! It must be about to begin or have begun, im not exactly sure.
There is a cool 10 level development on Cable St, on the waterfront, called 'Portal' which I just found out about also. Wow, it seems Wellington is booming too.

[Marky Mark]

Watermark Apartments . :)

http://www.landequity.co.nz/images/dev_residential_0a.jpg

Re-developed Old Market Building - I bought a Virus shirt There .

[flyin_higher]

Haven't heard of that one either?

[atkinson1]

He could have just made that one up lol. What sort of virus shirt was it? SARS?

[Capt P]

The terrace heights apartments are newish. The building was originally an office building with about 10 levels. The building was completely gutted and six more floors added on top, so it is now 16 levels. Should probably be on ss.com I think it was completed last year???

A building called the cube is also being developed. It is student accomodation and I think it is 10 levels also.

The Chews Lane precinct was sold on 17th September by WCC to a developer for $12.5m. It will contain a new office building (up to 90 meters tall - here's hoping) and an apartment/retail building (approx 60 metres I undertand).

The bolton apartment building is now called the Bolton Hotel - www.boltonhotel.co.nz

MOD building is underway (10 levels), also ministry for the environment building (10 levels)

10 level apartment building called century City www.centurycity.co.nz. i think this is under construction Moxpearl maybe able to answer this.

24 level apartment/retail proposal at 70-80 Willis Street - This identified on stuff.co.nz in October last year - It said then that construction wouldn't start for two years. It could be up to 95 metres

There are also some proposal for many more apartment buildings

[Capt P]

Back in the late 1980's there was a building that never got developed on Wellingtons Waterfront. It would have been a cracker - The design was really cool. At the time it was called Lambton Tower and it was going to be 31 storeys and the overall height would be been approximately 120 metres. The tower was to be topped with a public observation deck and revolving restaurant Such a pity it never got built, it was so close to happening - I think a contract was let and then it all fell through - boo hoo! :tiasd:

[Marky Mark]

:) The terrace heights apartments are newish. The building was originally an office building with about 10 levels. The building was completely gutted and six more floors added on top, so it is now 16 levels. Should probably be on ss.com I think it was completed last year???

A building called the cube is also being developed. It is student accomodation and I think it is 10 levels also.

The Chews Lane precinct was sold on 17th September by WCC to a developer for $12.5m. It will contain a new office building (up to 90 meters tall - here's hoping) and an apartment/retail building (approx 60 metres I undertand).

The bolton apartment building is now called the Bolton Hotel - www.boltonhotel.co.nz

MOD building is underway (10 levels), also ministry for the environment building (10 levels)

10 level apartment building called century City www.centurycity.co.nz. i think this is under construction Moxpearl maybe able to answer this.

24 level apartment/retail proposal at 70-80 Willis Street - This identified on stuff.co.nz in October last year - It said then that construction wouldn't start for two years. It could be up to 95 metres

There are also some proposal for many more apartment buildings

[Marky Mark]

He could have just made that one up lol. What sort of virus shirt was it? SARS?

Your so Cheeky Tom Boy ! LOL

Virus was a clothing label oringinating I think in Wellington and they ended up having stores in Karangahape Rd Auckland and Chapel st Melbourne ,not sure whether they still operate as the only info I can find is that some examples are on display at the Auckland Museum ,Textile section ,clothes were noted for their bizzare and surreal imagery, better hold on to the shirt of mine ! my other favorite shirt bought from those Markets was a Hand painted Spider Man shirt which was unreal ,but I gave that one away to a good Mate after a dance party at the docklands . :)

[flyin_higher]

Thanks for your input CaptP. Sounds like alots happening! I'd heard about that Chews Lane development, but i'd say nothing will happen on site for a while yet- esp. with that new 18 Level Office tower being built now.
They are also planning to build a Hilton Hotel on the waterfront, much like Auckland's, on a wharf-
http://www.wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz/Images/uploads/HotelOuterT.jpg

[flyin_higher]

Here's the full story about that Chews Lane development, looks like it might only go to 60 or so metres..

from Wellington City COuncil website, www.wcc.govt.nz
$12.5 Million Deal Struck on Sale of Chews Lane

Wellington City Council today announced the $12.5 million sale of the Chews Lane precinct by way of a 250 year lease. The precinct comprises commercial buildings between Victoria and Willis Streets intersected by Chews Lane, to Willis Bond & Co Ltd.


Deputy Mayor Alick Shaw says the sale is a brilliant result that the city can be very proud of. "This is not just about money it's going to make that part of the city and the area around Civic Square more inviting, more exciting and much more lively.

"Given the constraints placed on the use of the site and our concerns about maintaining the heritage of the area and views, the sale price of $12.5 million is an extremely good result. Another important factor is that work on this site can start as soon as possible and is due to be completed within five years. We've all seen the consequences of crucial development sites left to languish for years.

"We've spent a lot of time on the sale process including extensive public consultation in 2003, but it has been important to get this right."

Features of the deal include:

a 250 year lease
$12.5 million sale price
exceeds heritage expectations outlined in the Urban Design Brief
provides a high level of confidence for the Council that the proposal will be successfully completed
is architecturally very exciting solution, adding new architectural creativity to the city
an interesting new building on Zeal site
the retention of all but one of the heritage buildings (37- 43 Willis Street)
retaining the Victoria Arcade link between Willis and Victoria Streets
architecturally treating the whole site as a single site, i.e. new apartment building spanning over a series of buildings
a maximum building height that is well within the 90 metre District Plan height limit for the site
90 apartments designed to suit a wide range of budgets
mixed-use development - retail/food, offices and apartments.
Mark McGuinness, a Director of Willis Bond & Co Ltd, has led the proposal team and the architect for the project is Ian Athfield.

Mr McGuinness says he is very excited by being given the opportunity to redevelop the site and can't wait to get on with it. "We are looking forward to working closely with the Council to achieve the best outcome on this site for the city."

Cr Shaw says that while the sale price of $12.5 million is less than the $15.4 million book value, this is because of the conditions put on the sale. "The lower price reflects the price of the conditions which included heritage preservation, the additional design constraints, leasehold and contractual conditions."

A valuation for the Council based on the Urban Design Brief conditions valued the properties at $12.7 million which is very close to the $12.5 million sale price.

Money received from the sale will be used to repay Council debt.

An important issue at the time of deciding the sale was the relocation of the community tenants in the building. At the time of the sale decision, eight community groups were leasing offices in the buildings from the Council.

Cr Shaw says the Council felt it was important to ease the transition to market rental for the community groups.

"These groups provide important services in the community and their central city location means they are accessible to all. In the past some of these groups have had their rent paid by the Council while others enjoyed rentals well below market rates. Now that we are selling the Chews Lane precinct these groups are being faced with market rentals.

"To help them with this transition we have helped them find alternative accommodation and are providing financial assistance."

Of the eight community groups that were based in the Chews Lane precinct the Council has relocated four of them into a privately owned building at 84 Willis Street.

The four groups are the Wellington Volunteer Centre, the Wellington Community Law Centre, the Wellington Mental Health Consumers Union and Vincent's Art Workshop.

Of the remaining tenants, final lease negotiations are underway for the Women's Centre relocation and the Council has agreed to assist Mokai Kaianga into a new residential property. PICACC have gone into recession and ALAY is in discussions with the Council on an ongoing basis.

Colliers International marketed the properties on Council's behalf.

[Marky Mark]

I can't work out from the web site if this is new ? someone local might know .

http://www.globeholdings.co.nz/summit/apartments.htm :)




EDIT: flyin_higher (your link wasn't working:) )

[flyin_higher]

Yeah I know about that one, not sure about the other guys. Culwulla has got it up on SS.com. It's in Thorndon (right next to cbd) and a nice design too! Hope you didn't mind me editing your post Marky Mark, but you had image tags around your webpage link, so it wasn't working, lol.

[Marky Mark]

My Home computer had a spastic and died while I was trying to fix it , Ya know the feeling lost in Limbo ! :)

[atkinson1]

The feeling I know is lost in a limo. Some of those like 30 seaters are huge.

[Marky Mark]

Found this sketch of the internal Atruim from the Da Da Dahhhh Atruim Towers , which I guess we already Know about , Good idea for those wonderful Wellington Winter Days !

http://www.yellow.co.nz/site/atriumtowers/images/3.jpg

[flyin_higher]

The new 18 level Office Tower on Customhouse Quay, site pics>>
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid144/pc780e950de53dc370cd2f9584b807752/f6887535.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid144/pf5552463ddc969c77e67f1a164b4da55/f6887551.jpg
I think Fletcher Construction are the builders for this one, as they had a sign up.
The Museum Apartments>>
(its all steel!)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid144/p1f23cc81fab47bdb2bb3fe6cd0cd7290/f688717e.jpg
And the Bolton Apartments/ Hotel just before completion>>
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid144/p71fbe37e28d43a7f8ba0a71f147bda67/f6885add.jpg

[Capt P]

Hey Flyin,

There is a crane in the second picture behind BP House, That must be building something pretty? Do you know anthing about this?

[Capt P]

Opps I meant pretty tall!

[flyin_higher]

Hey Capt P,

Yeah I walked past it, expecting a similar tall development, but was disappointed to find it seems to be a small extension to an existing office building, maybe 5 levels or so. I think they need a tall crane because of site constraints.

[spotila]

hey guys this is my first post here... been looking at the forum for a while but decided to post now since im from wellington hehe


omg MoxPearl the tfc player ?!

[atkinson1]

the same MoxPearl that invented bucket 'o' salad?

[Capt P]

Official height of the proposed building on customhouse quay is 72.6 metres (or 73 metres for ss.com). There are some objectors because the building is above the 60 metres height limit for waterfront facing buildings. These are being heard on 23 November. Lets hope they don't win!!

[Capt P]

Things are getting started on the Holiday Inn - below is an article from the DOM :cheers:

Flying, add this to your check list for photographs when you are back in the Capital.


Work starts on four-star city hotel
19 November 2004

Construction has started on Wellington's first major new four-star hotel in more than a decade, with work beginning on the $65 million Holiday Inn.


The 17-storey, 238-room hotel will be on a long-vacant site on the corner of Featherston and Whitmore streets, and is expected to be open for business in mid-2006. The top three floors of the building will contain 25 privately owned apartments.

Work on the hotel was expected to start earlier this year but developer Nigel McKenna of Melview Developments said such a big project took time. "It takes a significant amount of investment and commitment but we said we would do it and we'll deliver."

The timing was now right for the hotel, which had been on the drawing boards since 2001.

"Indicators including overseas visitor figures, domestic tourism and rising Wellington occupancy rates, driven by things such as the stadium and the festival of the arts, suggest the hotel will meet with strong demand," Mr McKenna said.

The hotel will be operated by the world's biggest hotel company, InterContinental Hotels Group, under the Holiday Inn brand. Holiday Inn Wellington will bring the number of Holiday Inns in New Zealand and Australia to 21.

Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast welcomed the start of construction on the new hotel.

Its position near Parliament would be great for the government sector and it would also service the new business park being built on CentrePort land.

[Marky Mark]

:) Just a reminder of how she will look ! :)

http://www.holidayinnwellington.co.nz/splashpage/image01.jpg

[flyin_higher]

Good news. I thought this one took awhile to start. Go Wellington!
I'll surely take pics of it when im in the Capital, will be interesting to see its progress, especially as it is just across the raod (basically) from the 18 level offic etower on Customhouse Quay.

[Marky Mark]

our Wellington Members Gone ? I'm sure we had a few like Mox Pearl etc anyways found this Apartment refurb , like the scaffolding ! :)

http://www.thermosash.co.nz/products/images/jerningham2.jpg

[Marky Mark]

have been spoken about before , don't know if a render has been shown though ! :)

http://www.globeholdings.co.nz/trinity/images/home_photo.jpg


Oriental Bay , apartments :)

http://www.cityliving.net.nz/88oriental/images/exterior_photo1.jpg

City Lodge Apartments .

http://www.globedevelopments.co.nz/citylodge/images/home_building.jpg

Musuem Apartments

https://www.bayleys.biz/list_img/24511/24511_1.jpg

[flyin_higher]

Does anyone know if construction is proceeding on that new 18 level Customhouse Quay office tower?

[SkylineTurbo]

Great photos Marky Mark.

[Marky Mark]

Should be under Construction ? Flying Higher or someone will have to make a Trip at some stage to see what is going on down there . :)
http://www.realenz.co.nz/photos/ILS/90/458390-1.jpg

[flyin_higher]

Yeah, i think i will be down there sometime in March so i will get another update on project progress. The Argus was posted before, but thanks anyway, nice to see others hav an interest in Wellington! Argus is 14 levels.

[Marky Mark]

this is quite a recent Photo of a construction site in Wellington , has the title Montreaux Apartments , which I gather is the construction site , could be wrong though , does anyone Know , its not that clear but the vertical Baby blue is the crane ! :)

http://www.realenz.co.nz/photos/HPSHARC001/74/WL18674-3.jpg

[flyin_higher]

Yeah I've seen thsoe advertised in the DomPost. About 12 levels i believe, and yes, thats the site, right by the main CBD motorway offramp.

[Marky Mark]

I reckon there is a fare bit happening down there ! :)

[Marky Mark]

Imagine the View ! Maupuia Apartments Wellington :) http://www.realenz.co.nz/photos/HPSHARC001/98/WL18498-1.jpg

[Marky Mark]

lets post some Photos of Wellington !

:) http://dogmouth.net/photos/nz/wellington/mid/wellington-civic-square.jpg

http://www.ginini.com/nz/wellington/night.jpg

[flyin_higher]

Speaking (or typing) of Wellington, a new 16 level rental apartment block has just been announced, to be built right next to the Railway Station. There was a pic of it in the weekend DomPost, and oval shaped building, not too bad looking. This area, centred around the Railway Station, is certainly booming, with the 17 level Holiday Inn tower under construction over the road, and the 18 level Customhouse Quay Office Tower just around the corner, as well as the 10 level Ministry of Defence building, and 11 level Ministry for the Environment building going up in nearby streets.

[Marky Mark]

I don't know how anyone is going to be able to do an accurate count for culla , unless they live there for a month and do a stocktake ! :)

http://www.bevlock.co.nz/images/Wellington_City1.jpg

[flyin_higher]

Yeah, i'll try and scan the pic that was in the DomPost.

I would like to get better info for Cul on Wellington's scraper count, so maybe ill plan a trip there soon and start doing some stocktaking, lol!

[Marky Mark]

Completion in May 2005 :)


http://www.realenz.co.nz/photos/vclbeth001/22/CY2422-1.jpg

[atkinson1]

I don't know how anyone is going to be able to do an accurate count for culla , unless they live there for a month and do a stocktake ! :)

http://www.bevlock.co.nz/images/Wellington_City1.jpg

We could apply for funding from the government to create a "skyscraper assessment team" to live there for a few months and fully assess every skyscraper for a government database, and get paid to do it.

I usually wouldn't suggest the idea seeing as the government could just look out the window of the Beehive and count them, but going by the recent extravagant spendings by the goverment such as using childrens reading money for stomach stapling operations, and maori tv money to pay a con man from Canada, this project seems worth while.

[flyin_higher]

Yeah i've seen that one under construction marky mark, its the Montreaux Apartments, the one you posted about up a bit^.

lol@Tom, a skyscraper assessment team would sure be helpful! Maybe I can persuade the government to get one up and running, as i'll say its good for the recently released Urban Design Strategy, which came out last week. Who knows lol...

[Marky Mark]

We could apply for funding from the government to create a "skyscraper assessment team" to live there for a few months and fully assess every skyscraper for a government database, and get paid to do it.

I usually wouldn't suggest the idea seeing as the government could just look out the window of the Beehive and count them, but going by the recent extravagant spendings by the goverment such as using childrens reading money for stomach stapling operations, and maori tv money to pay a con man from Canada, this project seems worth while.


That sounds like a cool idea , Helen Clark is probaly still stuck in a Traffic Jam on Tauranga Harbour Bridge trying to get to the airport after a weekend in the Area Surfing in her poka-dot bikini's LOL '.

Auckland is more of a nightmare to count , actually one would probaly find another 200 skyscrapers throughout the country if a proper survey was done ! :)

[flyin_higher]

Here's a small render that i scanned from the DomPost of the new 16 level apartment tower to be built next to the railway station (Waterloo Quay).
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid161/pefc2ef6c0f5bdaa18d5e4a4d7afeb5d5/f4ce981c.jpg

[Capt P]

Do you know what is going to be called flying?

[flyin_higher]

At this stage there is no name, well, not one reported by the newspaper.

[*astro*]

Not a high rise but a fantastic piece of architecture to be built beside The Steamship Wharf on the waterfront.As ususal people are opposing and would rather have grass, though people don't go to the Docklands in Melbourne for greenery...
http://www.wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz/Images/uploads/KumutotoView2sm.jpg
http://www.wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz/Images/uploads/KumutotoView1sm.jpg
http://www.wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz/Images/uploads/KumutotoView3sm.jpg

[flyin_higher]

Hey another Wellingtonian, nice!

You can post a pic put simply copying the image properties (go right click, copy) and then clicking on the IMG button when u make a post, or edit a post, and pasting the image properties in the box that comes up.

[HOODTech]

There seems to be some attractive mid-rise developments happening in Wellington.

[*astro*]

http://www.centurycity.co.nz/apartments/images/buildings2.jpg
YAAY, so here is the tory st development, alot better that any of the 'scenes' in auck dont u think?

Hotel Wellington, a development by Ms Pretergasts husband for upper cuba st, snazzy
https://www.bayleys.biz/list_img/410237/410237_5.jpg

https://www.bayleys.biz/list_img/410237/410237_1.jpg

[flyin_higher]

That image didnt show. Are you sure you copied the entire image properties properly? It should look like a web address, with a .jpg or something at the end. It will only work from if its internet based, you can't direct link from your own computer

[*astro*]

http://www.custance.co.nz/images/pop_commercial2.gif
Wool house, customhouse quay. At the moment you can see the blue glass being fitted.

[flyin_higher]

You need to have your own webspace to host the images, or just direct link them from their respective websites, such as Bayleys in this case.

[sam_L]

That one by the railway station looks exactly like the newish tower on Anzac Ave in Auckland. It's exactly the same shape and same colours - even the yellow strip down the side is the same. Must be the same developers/architects.

[flyin_higher]

http://www.custance.co.nz/images/pop_commercial2.gif
Wool house, customhouse quay. At the moment you can see the blue glass being fitted.
I think i know where this one is, there has been a crane there for a while now.

Hey astro, hows the construction site going for that new Customhouse Quay office tower on the old martime building site?

[*astro*]

I think i know where this one is, there has been a crane there for a while now.

Hey astro, hows the construction site going for that new Customhouse Quay office tower on the old martime building site?

Well to be honest it looks exactly the same as when that picture was posted. I guess its taking them a while to do the underground carpark, However.... the new Holiday Inn is definately on track and the steel beams just get higher and higher :D
Check out www.melview.co.nz to see 'The Featherston Tower'.If all goes to plan, it should sit right next to it.Will look great coming out of the train station!

[flyin_higher]

Oh ok, so not much progres on the old martime bldg site then? Interesting. I read in the NBR that the building is over 80% leased, so must be more work starting soon.
I saw that 'Featherston Tower' in a render on the melview site a while ago, I always wondered exactly where its was to go, and when it was being built. Sounds like the Holiday Inn will be the tower to watch for Wellington in the next few months.

[flyin_higher]

Wellington Pics..
mmm, Capital City
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Wellington_trip018.jpg
Oriental Parade, the best waterfront drive in NZ? (A close race between Tamaki Drive and Oriental Parade; Oriental parade wins because of less traffic;) )
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Wellington_trip030.jpg
From Mt Victoria:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Wellington_trip037.jpg
Holiday Inn Hotel Construction Site:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid166/p18a74725975e22242e46fd2bb1fcb304/f4568e43.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid166/pa05a95934fcc73ec0a8df9f4266f3df8/f4568e38.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid166/p06eb1772980038e487bca163a7dd3da4/f452afd1.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid166/p0ed1e44df24c6167fc3b25469aecedcd/f4567411.jpg
The Customhouse Quay bldg site (the foundations are well underway, so should see some good progress on this one in a few months)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid166/peed9588a7496d121113d5d9dd9624482/f45673fe.jpg
The new Ministry of Defence HQ (note the subtle military colouring)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid166/p57a6e1167023c842249b47fda6f001a8/f4568e14.jpg
The woolhouse bldg, which is being extended sideways and on top with a couple more levels
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid166/p56f6bf59778c1631a1bead2008477aed/f4568df6.jpg

[mtb_nz]

What it's meant to look like
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/defence.jpg

pics of the new defence building so far.....
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/defence2.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/defence1.jpg

[spotila]

The new defence building... what's it for?

[flyin_higher]

Is that a serious question- Asking what the Ministry of Defence bldg is for? :runaway:

[Marky Mark]

Maintenance of Helen Clarks Teeth both during and after her Life as Prime-Minister of New Zealand ! :) Ha Ha :)

[aucklandman]

How come wellingtons building designs are so boxy?

[mtb_nz]

How come wellingtons building designs are so boxy?

the beehive ain't boxy is it... yeah i know what you mean, we need some nice rounded buildings... mind if we borrow the skytower for a while?? :cheers:

[mtb_nz]

The new defence building... what's it for?

yeah i don't know aye... I think its a new gym that wellington is getting

[spotila]

Is that a serious question- Asking what the Ministry of Defence bldg is for? :runaway:


yes it was a serious question :(. Why do we need a new one!?

Besides, it could've just been a name, like La Defense ;D?

[flyin_higher]

Oh, well in that case, why didn't ya say. I think the new building is needed to house the entire ministry, as curently they are spread out over a number of cbd bldgs. Same with the new Minstry for the Environment building, being built in Throndon- to house the entire ministry in one building.

[aucklandman]

yeah i don't know aye... I think its a new gym that wellington is getting

lol yea the ladies ministry of defence you guys are turning into auckland!!!

[mtb_nz]

Just a few construction pics of the summit apartment building currently being built on Thorndon in Wellington (10 levels... only 6 apartments left out of a total of 23)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/summit.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/summit2.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/summit1.jpg

And what its meant to look like after its been finished

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/summit4.jpg

[atkinson1]

Excellent. I like the render with those colours. I've seen some very impressive designs overseas using a similar concept.

[sam_L]

I agree - i'm liking this very much. Isn't there a lowrise development in Tauranga using colours like this too?

[*astro*]

The Tower insurance building is up for sale with a value of about 12.5 million.When purchased it may be rufurbished and added to with a height of up to 60m. Hope they do a not so boxy job with this 1
http://www.feelinggreat.co.nz/images/explore_wellington/arts_and_heritage_walks/walk1_large_pic02.jpg

[flyin_higher]

I'm always sceptical of the way they do rooftop additions.

[mtb_nz]

The Tower insurance building is up for sale with a value of about 12.5 million.When purchased it may be rufurbished and added to with a height of up to 60m. Hope they do a not so boxy job with this 1
http://www.feelinggreat.co.nz/images/explore_wellington/arts_and_heritage_walks/walk1_large_pic02.jpg

Lol…. u just bet me to a post just like that... well I think that’s a prime location for a taller building, but its a shame about all these historical buildings being knocked down or modernised in some way. As in 20 years or so there will just be new modern buildings and hardly any old historical ones.

[KingKong1]

I reckon a roof top addition to the tower insurance building would look stunning, i like the clash of old and new, they did a good job to hsbc tower down there

[SYDNEY]

I reckon a roof top addition to the tower insurance building would look stunning, i like the clash of old and new, they did a good job to hsbc tower down there

When I saw the pic I thought exactly the same thing - additional floors with huge I-Beams and transparent glass - the building has an "Industrial" appearance which an architect can play with and modernise it.

[SYDNEY]

I LOVE this building -

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/summit4.jpg


Nothing like a bit of colour in an otherwise drab, concrete environment.

[flyin_higher]

I reckon a roof top addition to the tower insurance building would look stunning, i like the clash of old and new, they did a good job to hsbc tower down there
Now I fell like im picking on you.

Are you serious though? The HSBC development was voted as one of worst examples of heritage restoration in Wellington by the New Zealand Institute of Architects(NZIA). All the developer did was demolish 90% of the historic building onsite, leaving the front of it as a facade for the parking levels.

[*astro*]

Now I fell like im picking on you.

Are you serious though? The HSBC development was voted as one of worst examples of heritage restoration in Wellington by the New Zealand Institute of Architects(NZIA). All the developer did was demolish 90% of the historic building onsite, leaving the front of it as a facade for the parking levels.

I really like the HSBC tower, it defin8ly gives lambton a real "high city" feeling and looks good on the skyline.With the Tower Insurance building i think the addition on top should reflect whats already there, in keeping with the old yet still look modern. When theyve done that they should make over both axon and the NZ post building, soo 70's!

[flyin_higher]

Oh yeah, I like the HSBC tower too, its fine, and fits in well with the urban environment of Lambton Quay quite well. I just dont like how they have done the lower, heritage building inclusion, levels, which look silly

[atkinson1]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/atkinson1/hsbc_wellington.jpg

[flyin_higher]

Cool pic bro.
What im referrig to is in the lower left of the picture, or the north-western part of the tower. You can seethe historic facade which covers the carparking levels clearly. The windows are blank.

[sam_L]

Classy.

[*astro*]

Shows the progress on the new Waitangi park, but more importantly... the museum apartments, rear left. I really hate how they have that blank concrete wall on so many new apartments.
http://www.wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz/Images/uploads/46472_036.jpg

[Marky Mark]

Nice Sunny Day down There ! :)

[flyin_higher]

Nice pic. That was taken from the old post exhange bldg (the big old art deco one), which is also being converted into a cool looking residential/ commercial/ retail precinct. I think its called chaffers dock.

[*astro*]

Chaffers Dock, thats the 1! Its so good seeing money going into the waterfront, as well as the surrounding buildings. I still can't believe Waterfront Watch wants a park in northern queens wharf, after Wellington is undertaking one of its largest civic projects in all its history. Helloo? Well i spose if i could get paid to complain id jump on the bandwagon lol

[KingKong1]

Now I fell like im picking on you.

Are you serious though? The HSBC development was voted as one of worst examples of heritage restoration in Wellington by the New Zealand Institute of Architects(NZIA). All the developer did was demolish 90% of the historic building onsite, leaving the front of it as a facade for the parking levels.

I was unaware that this was the case, i havn't seen this building in the flesh but from the pictures it looks like they have refurbished the older part. learning that they demolished 90% of it leaving the facade is disturbing, the developers shouldn't be allowed to get away with shit like this, i thought that a building like that would be protected under historical status or something. I hope this isn't a trend, some developers need to be reined in all they care about is money.

[flyin_higher]

Thanks for the comments.
When you are next in Wellington, go and visit the building, so you can see what i'm talking about, there is a historic facade, which covers over the parking levels, and the windows have been bakced with a concrete wall. There are other examples of this sort of architectural blasphemy in Auckland too, such as the BNZ tower, and the Toshiba/Sofrana bldg (cnr Queen St and Mayoral Dr).

[atkinson1]

Are you talking about this building?

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/atkinson1/hsbc_wellington.jpg

[flyin_higher]

Yes!

[*astro*]

Tried to post this ages ago, set to sit on the corner of cuba and dixon streets, replacing the old DEKA building.Builder Terri Serendipos is to start this 1 after the Century City apartments in Tory street.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y245/royal_balm/24561_1.jpg

[Marky Mark]

Very interesting , I'll put that on the official List ! Good find Astro :)

[Loafer]

yes indeed!... that is certainly wow, very bold, and abstract I love it. Leaves me asking the question again; "Do all the best architects live in Wellington?".

[atkinson1]

Wellington is more creative. It's a cultural phenomenon.

[flyin_higher]

I love the design of that, very interesting.

It could be summised as; Wellington 'thinks of things' (and does them), while Auckland 'does things' (and thinks of it after), lol. In other words, collectively, Auckland is hard working, while Wellington is Intelligent. Complementary you might say.

[*astro*]

I think Wellington's now compensating for years of boxes and low detailed buildings.The new Cuba development will be 14 storeys, cost around 60m and be a mix of shops, offices and apartments. Plans and resource consents have been granted by wgtn council :D

[flyin_higher]

Indeed, Wellingotn is doing well these days with its architecture.

[KingKong1]

i wouldn't wana be the construction company to get that contract, looks like a nitemare to build.

[mtb_nz]

Quote from the Dominion post today….


A Big new office and apartment block is set to tower above Wellington’s Willis St following the demolition of buildings there.

The 27-storey building will be on a site now occupied the buildings at 70-80 Willis St

The building, which will be inside the 95-metre height limit, is being designed by Richard Kay of Peddle Thorp Montgomery.

Clem Griffiths, the owner of the site buildings to be demolished, says the new building “will make the adjacent Majestic Centre look dated”.

[Marky Mark]

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

[flyin_higher]

Ah cool, I saw that article too, was gonna post it. Go wellington!

[mtb_nz]

It should look quite good too, as Peddle Thorp Montgomery architects (http://www.peddlethorpnz.co.nz/main/officebuildingsfsnew.htm) have designed several nice modern buildings like Mobil on the park, Parkroyal hotel, The ANZ building and the Trustbank centre in the Wellington CBD… I can’t wait to see a render of it :)

[flyin_higher]

Yes indeed a good design will make all the difference.
I am wondering, though, how the tower gets within the 95m height limit. 27 levels of office is around 110 (27x4m). So say half of the floors are apartments, that makes 42m (14 floors, at 3m), and the rest office/retail@4m a floor, which is 52m (14x4), plus plant room of 2-3m. This makes a total height of 97m, lol. And no room for architectural features. Maybe the 27 levels includes plant room. I'm sure the council would grant them an exemption from the height limit if the breach was only for a spire or something.

[mtb_nz]

^^

Well yeah I was wondering about the 95m height limit too… thing is that it is near the majestic centre and the State Insurance Tower which are both over that limit… I bet it will be over that limit, and so it should as that is a silly height restriction for that area anyway

[flyin_higher]

Yea, if I was the city planner I would allow it, because it is in keeping with the dominant character of the area (ie; high rise). The limit should be at least 120 or so, at least the height of the tallest current building. There might be a reason for the limit that i'm not aware of, i'll have to read the Wellington City Council District Plan.

[SYDNEY]

Quote from the Dominion post today….


A Big new office and apartment block is set to tower above Wellington’s Willis St following the demolition of buildings there.

The 27-storey building will be on a site now occupied the buildings at 70-80 Willis St

The building, which will be inside the 95-metre height limit, is being designed by Richard Kay of Peddle Thorp Montgomery.

Clem Griffiths, the owner of the site buildings to be demolished, says the new building “will make the adjacent Majestic Centre look dated”.

I can't wait to see a rendering of the proposed project. Once again I must just add that Wellington has an amazing skyline for a city of approximately 300 000 and seems to be getting better and better.

[*astro*]

Yeah, i think alot of people are suprised by Wellingtons skyline, and i agree that it may be hard creating such an amazing building with such height restrictions. A good looking building of that height is possible though, its basically building a "mobil on the park" next to the majestic.Will fill in that gap between that building and the BNZ which is a start... hopefully its a "permission for additional height" case that deems successful. I still have the article from 2004 when Clem Griffiths initiated the idea of a new high-rise on the site. Got a shock when i saw that it was still going through. Willis st's gonna be pretty hot with that and chews lanes 60m buildings. :)

[flyin_higher]

Hey astro, if you still have that article, do you think you could post it on here?

[*astro*]

Hey astro, if you still have that article, do you think you could post it on here?

One of Wellington's best-known building sites is to have a revamp with property investor Clem Griffiths announcing plans for a 24-level apartment and retail complex. The building will be on two properties at 70-80 willis st, on land which once hosted the Britannia hotel. Before the 1987 stockmarket crash, the area was marked for a big commercial development.
More than 15-years on, Mr Griffiths plans to realise the sites potential with a building featuring four levels of retailing in which existing tenants will be offered space. The development is subject to resource consent but Mr Griffiths said that the building will be within the councils 95m height limit. "Some peoples views will be blocked out. I'm very sorry about that, it's not intentional, its progress"
The development was already attracting interest, despite being at an early stage.
"The shopping plaza is half-leased and we havn't even gone to market; we want to create something that people will want to come to".
There will be two levels of lock-up space, one for the retailers and one for the apartment dwellers, above the retail plaza. Apartments will take up the remaining 18 levels. Mr Griffiths has bought the top two levels for himself and his wife, while the other 16-levels will have 6 units on each floor. He predicted buyers looking for inner-city residential locations would flock to the development. Mr Grffiths, who owns the Tug Boat on the Bay said that he had yet to set selling prices for the apartments.
Construction would not begin for about two years, he said.

And here we are in 2005 and it's all looking pretty good :D

[flyin_higher]

Cheers for that astro. Sounds quite promising then :cheers:

[*astro*]

http://www.johnlaw.co.nz/images/homephoto.jpg
The new tenants are going to be Deloitte. I hope they put illuminated signage up the top.

[Marky Mark]

Nice to see some Steel construction go up Quickly ! :)

[atkinson1]

That looks awesome man. Wellington gets some cool buildings!

[mtb_nz]

lol, I almost crashed my car the other day when I was driving past that building... I think I was staring at it too much... its looking quite nice now :)

[sam_L]

That looks awesome man. Wellington gets some cool buildings!
Yeah they do... apart from that orange one next door.

Is that a refurbishment/extention of an existing building?

[flyin_higher]

Yes it is sam, they added 3 more levels on top, and widened existing floors out to Customhouse Quay, which is being cladded in shiny new glass.

[CULWULLA]

after the recent update with Wellington on Emporis, Wellington now has more skyscrapers then Perth or Adelaide. Im sure theres still more we can add.

[flyin_higher]

Oh wow thats a fair achievement. I'm in Wellington this weekend so i'll see what I can find;)

[flyin_higher]

Progress pics:
At the Martime Tower site:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/ECO_Conference_Wgtn001.jpg
Across the road at the Holiday Inn site:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/ECO_Conference_Wgtn002.jpg
Same site, from another angle:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/ECO_Conference_Wgtn006.jpg
That new office bldg on Customhouse Quay:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/ECO_Conference_Wgtn014.jpg

[SYDNEY]

^^^ Fabulous pics, did you have a gr8 weekend ?

[flyin_higher]

Yea it was great!

[mtb_nz]

was a damn bloody cold weekend in wellington though aye?


yeah the Holiday Inn building is coming along quite nicely :)

[flyin_higher]

Yea it was! There was snow on the ranges east of Wellington on Sunday morning! Brrrr

[*astro*]

Willis streets new precints plans have been released. The new Chews Lane is said to rival Auckland's Vulcan Lane when completed. Wellington doesn't really have a high fashion hub, though Lambton isn't far off... Here's what the finished product should look like.

http://www.willisbond.co.nz/images/chews-lane-2.jpg
http://www.chewslane.co.nz/images/office_50_lg.jpg http://www.chewslane.co.nz/images/office_56_1.jpg

[property_boy]

checked it out the other day (chews lane), looks like it will be a great investment for that part of wellington.

check out www.chewslane.co.nz (developers: willis and bond).

noticed this new building hasn't yet been posted:
www.vivoapartments.co.nz
7-8 level building on college street next to the Trinity development.

[property_boy]

Probably a few more that can be added, these are the updates I can think of so far...
*Residential (Apartments)*
Summit, Molesworth Street - Nearing Completion (www.globeholdings.co.nz)
Montreax,The Terrace - Nearing Completion (www.casgroup.co.nz/montreax.htm)
Plimmer Apartmetns, Boulcout Street - Proposed
Trinity, College Street - Under Construction (www.globeholdings.co.nz)
Vivo, College Street - Commencing soon (www.vivoapartments.co.nz)
Holland Street - Under Construction
Portal, Cable Street - Commencing soon (www.casgroup.co.nz/portal.htm)
Augusta, Willis Street - Nearing Completion (www.easternequity.co.nz)
268 Willis, Willis Street - Commencing soon (www.easternequity.co.nz)
27 Level Apartment/Retail, Willis Street - Under Construction
Cube, Webb Street - Under Construction (www.casgroup.co.nz/cube.htm)
Century City, Tory Street - Commencing Soon (www.centurycity.co.nz)
Muesem Hotel/Apartments, Wakefield Street - Nearing Completion (www.museumapartments.co.nz)
Odlins Building, Jervois Quay - Nearing Completion
Bellagio, Taranaki Street - Commencing Soon (www.cbdrealty.co.nz/bellagio/index.php)
The Watermark, Wakefield Street - Proposed (www.landequity.co.nz)
Capital, Oriental Parade - Nearing Completion
Waterline, Oriental Parade - Nearing Completion (www.wishyouwerehere.co.nz)
The Crescent, Roseneath - Under Construction
Chaffers Dock, Waterfront - Under Contsruction (www.chaffersdockapartments.co.nz)



*Commercial*
CentrePort Business Park - Statistics New Zealand: Nearing Completion
MidCity Upgrade, Manners Street - Under Construction
Maritime, Waterloo Quay - Under Construction
Wool House - Nearing Completion
Featherston Tower - Proposed (www.melview.co.nz)
Chews Lane - Commencing Soon (www.chewslane.co.nz)
Kumuoto, Queens Wharf - Commencing Soon
Odlins Building - Nearing Completion
Hilton Hotel, Queens Wharf - Proposed (www.wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz/Article.aspx?Articleid=648)
Holiday Inn, Featherston Street - Under Construction (www.holidayinnwellington.co.nz)


*Retail*
Westfield Queensgate, Lower Hutt - Under Construction (www.westfield.co.nz/nzcentres/queensgate)
Harvey Norman Centre, Lower Hutt - Under Construction
Johnsonville Shopping Centre, Retail/Cinema upgrade - Proposed
Logan Plaza, Upper Hutt - Under Construction
Chews Lane - Commencing Soon (www.chewslane.co.nz)
Majestic Tower retail enhancements - Under Construction
Airport Retail Centre - Partly Completed/Under Construction
Willis Street Enclosed Retail - Under Construction

*Civic* (www.wcc.govt.nz www.wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz)
Waitangi Park, Chaffers Street - Under Construction
Taranaki Wharf/Wellington Waterfront - Under Construction
Wellington Hospital - Under Construction
Glover Park - Commencing soon
Aotea/Jervois Quay Landscape project - Proposed
Government Precinct, Urban Renewal - Planning Stages
Wellington Aquarium, Island Bay - Planning Stages
Overseas Passenger Terminal, Waterfront - Proposed

*Transport* (www.transit.govt.nz)
Central City Bypass - Under Construction
Petone-Grenada Link Road - Approved, 2006/2007
Petone-Dowse Upgrade/Interchanges - Approved, 2005/2006
McKays Crossing Flyover - Under Construction
Waitangirua/Papakowhai Interchange - Approved
Ngauranga->City 8 Laning - Proposed
Rail Electrification to Waikanae - Approved
Coastal Highway/Transmission Gully - Proposed

[*astro*]

Um, after reading Wellington's Construction Status, could Property Boy answer me these...

27 Level Apartment/Retail, Willis Street - Under Construction
Q. I have failed to see any cranes, designs or anything since the article in the Dom Post...

Aqua, Oriental Parade - Nearing Completion
Q. These are completed. I think you might mean apartments 88 next to the Semple House..

Overseas Passenger Terminal, Waterfront - Proposed
- Whether apartments actually go in the overseas terminal is still up in the air. Wellington waterfront is seeking potential developers, with interest as far as Hong Kong.

MidCity Upgrade, Manners Street - Commencing Soon
- This has started, the wooden boards over the entrances are up.

Chews Lane - Commencing Soon
- This has also started with restorations taking place at present.

Hilton Hotel, Queens Wharf - Commencing Soon
- Wellington Waterfront is still having negotions with the developer. Hilton is unimpressed with the lengthy delays that are caused by waterfront consultations, processes... There is no set time on or if this developent even gets running.

Taranaki Wharf/Wellington Waterfront - Under Construction
- The reburbishment of the Free Ambulance building has begun but the areas plans are still seeking resource consent.

Aotea/Jervois Quay Landscape project - Commencing Soon
- This project isn't gonna start till the bypass is out of the way. That way they can see the how the bypass effects the waterfront route and can decide whether to reduce the 6 lanes to 4. At the moment they are deciding on what trees to plant.

Wellington Aquarium, Island Bay - Proposed
- This has been approved as the council is giving the Aquarium $8m to proceed.


Government Precinct, Urban Renewal - Commencing Soon
- Urm, well no plans have been drawn up yet. All they're saying is that in the future the goverment precinct is gonna be upgraded and more intergrated with the city, creating a real "Capital City" environment.

Well that's my beef, just didn't want people to get the wrong ideas..

[property_boy]

Glad you pulled me up on those ones!

Haven't been down to Wellington, was last there a couple of months ago...bit bored at work at was jotting down all the stuff I could think of and various articles I had read.
-27 Level Building: Willis Street. A mate down there said there are boards up on some of the shops where it is to be built and thought there could be some demolition going on??
-Aqua: Last time I was in Welly it was still being built, maybe I'm getting confused with a building further down Oriental Bay. Not far down from the Capital Apartments.
-Chews Lane: Last read about it on Willis Bond Site, said was starting soon. Good to know it's all going ahead. Those buildings around there definately need a bit or work
-Hilton Hotel: I read a few months back that it wasn't far from being past through the resource consent phase. But mind you it has been going on for a good while.

-With the others, should of been a bit clearer. thanks for pointing them out :)

[spotila]

Can anybody post pictures of the Plimmer Towers?

[flyin_higher]

Boutique city hotel planned

13 July 2005
By ANN-MARIE JOHNSON

www.dompost.co.nz

Tourists intent on enjoying all Courtenay Place has to offer will be able to stay there 24 hours a day if a new hotel is approved.


Two Wellington businessmen want to build a boutique hotel at the eastern end of Courtenay Place, above the old McDonald's building.

The $30 million 14-storey Hotel Rococo would have about 40 hotel rooms and a similar number of serviced apartments.

It would be set back 30 metres from the Courtenay Place frontage and the McDonald's building would be retained. The main entrance would be on Alpha St on a site that is now used for car parking. The resource consent application was publicly notified by Wellington City Council, mainly because the building will be about four storeys above the area's height limit.

Development partners Glen Hooker and Graeme Hunt say the hotel will fill a gap in the market, with no other luxury hotels in the area.

In the past, they have refurbished the nearby Cambridge Hotel and developed the concept designs for the Sanctum apartment complex.

Mr Hooker said those projects had been successful because they took account of the surrounding urban environment, which was also a focus of the new hotel's design.

"We recognised the importance of doing something that fitted into the Courtenay character area," he said.

"The idea is only to offer accommodation, and let Courtenay Place service clients (for food, drink and entertainment)."

The building was designed to fit in with the area, and in particular would not detract from the adjacent heritage Adelphi building.

It was among a cluster of taller buildings, including the Base Backpackers building, so its height would not be out of place, he said.

Despite the number of new hotels opening in central Wellington – including the Bolton, the Museum Hotel extension, the Just Hotel and the Holiday Inn – Mr Hooker was confident there was room for more top-end rooms, particularly serviced apartments.


(I have a render, will scan and post later.)

[property_boy]

FROM Dominion Post 12.07.05. more at http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dominionpost/0,2106,3342010a6482,00.html
The rebirth of Upper Hutt mall
12 July 2005

After years of uncertainty, Upper Hutt's retail heart is undergoing a $50 million revamp thanks to the confidence of a group of local investors. ANN-MARIE JOHNSON reports.

Think of going to the mall in the Wellington region and you probably think of Lower Hutt's Queensgate, Porirua's North City or Johnsonville Mall.

Upper Hutt's Logan Plaza probably won't be top of your list. But an ambitious $50 million redevelopment headed by a group of local businessmen is aiming to change that attitude.

Though it was at the cutting edge of retail when it opened in the 1970s, progress had left Logan Plaza behind tilltill builders moved in a few months ago.

The first step in the redevelopment was the opening of a 5800-square-metre branch of The Warehouse – more than twice the size of the previous store – in May.

But still to come are 45 new shops, representing a big increase in the city's retail capacity, along with a 250-seat food court.

The development is taking in not only the existing Logan Plaza building but will extend across Logan St where a block of tired retail buildings will be redeveloped or refurbished, with plans including a four-screen cinema....

[property_boy]

CentrePort Wellington launches Business Park
Friday, 15 July 2005, 9:14 am
Press Release: CentrePort
15 July 2005
CentrePort Wellington launches Business Park on prime inner city land

Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast officially launched a 6.5 hectare business and recreational park on Wellington’s waterfront last night to be called Harbour Quays.

The land owned by CentrePort Wellington will be developed into a major commercial, retail business and recreational space with room for at least a dozen multi level individual buildings.

Harbour Quays Development Manager Ray Di Leva told the 100 strong crowd at the launch, it’s an exciting development for the city.

“Harbour Quays is the most significant development in Wellington’s commercial property market in the last ten years and the first based on “looking after the environment”. We envisage the tenant mix will include corporate, government departments and retail with a strong emphasis on providing recreational space such as parks, cafes and entertainment facilities.”

“We’ve put significant effort into ensuring Harbour Quays integrates well with the existing buildings, the city and especially Wellington’s Waterfront. Underpinned by an environmentally friendly philosophy, all character buildings will be retained and views to the harbour carefully protected,” says Di Leva.

Chief Executive of CentrePort Wellington Liz Ward adds:

“After many months of hard work we are proud to launch Harbour Quays today. Its development is another step in CentrePort Wellington’s growth strategy but at the same time we remain 100% committed to our core service, of being a port company, as we look to grow our integrated logistics business even further,” says Ward.

Mayor Kerry Prendergast in opening Harbour Quays told the crowd:

“Harbour Quays is a fantastic development for Wellington and I commend CentrePort Wellington on its foresight and vision in turning this area into a business park that caters not just for the needs of business in Wellington, but also their employees and our residents. I am sure Harbour Quays will be a great success and I look forward to the first stage of it – the completion of the Statistics NZ building and surrounding infrastructure – later this year.”


Existing tenants at Harbour Quays include the head office of the NZ Rugby Football Union, Williment Travel and TelstraClear. The first built-to-order building in the complex is the $20 million Statistics New Zealand building, due for completion in October.

The new properties will vary in size, floor levels and use some floor plates comparable to prime CBD real estate. The height restriction is 27 metres or approximately six stories. The architecture of Harbour Quays will incorporate both character and modern design trends and the low-rise buildings will offer maximum space, natural light and superior views. There will also be extensive landscaping with native trees and shrubs, lighting and street furniture to contribute to more visual space.

A number of prospective tenants are currently in negotiation with Harbour Quays

[*astro*]

Yaaaay! Wellington's waterfront is getting a further makeover. I was listening to the radio today and the lady said to the developer how it will compare to Melbournes Docklands and London's cananry wharf, then said, "what about the viaduct?" and he replied that what wellington will be doing different is paying alot of attention to the environment such as retaining rain water and using it for irregation. The pictures that were in the Dom Post can be seen at www.studiopacific.co.nz.
Because it will mostly be new i hope it blends in ok with the rest of the waterfront. The queens wharf event centre is pretty sad and there's too many shed-like buildings occupying prime space.. But rather focussing on the negatives, Wellington sounds like the place to be :)

[flyin_higher]

Yea I do like the sound of this new waterfront development, with its environmental theme

[property_boy]

wellington waterfront
new waterfront business park sounds like it will be a great assst once completed and liven up that part of the city especially with the stadium being so close.

was in wellington last week, noticed the waitangi park development is well underway as is the chaffers dock apartments (former herd street telecom/post building).
and the NZ Stock Exchange Building (Odlins) is now complete - what a great restoration. Looks great and I bet the apartments on the upper floors are pretty mint..

with the current projects and future work to be done on the waterfront no doubt it will become some hot property in wellington and add to the already great atmosphere in the city.

[property_boy]

check out http://www.wellington-airport.co.nz/news/index.html
(some cool pictures on this site too)
$76 million extreme makeover for Wellington Airport

Wellington Airport announced today that it will invest up to $76 million over the next two years to expand and upgrade the terminal to accommodate traffic growth, extend the runway, improve parking facilities, and position Wellington to take advantage of future long-haul flight options.

“Our goal is to give Wellingtonians and visitors the airport they crave,” said Chief Executive Simon Draper. “Air travel has become more accessible, but it’s still exciting for most travellers – and the experience begins and ends at the airport. Our upgrade will create a more enjoyable and stimulating terminal with a lot more space in the international lounges, funky retail outlets that reflect the Wellington scene and iconic New Zealand products, more duty free shopping, and expanded and reconfigured processing areas.”



The $41 million investment in the terminal upgrade will include a significant expansion and redevelopment of the international lounge. The new international terminal will have eight aerobridge international departure gates, up from the current six (two of which are and will remain “swing gates” available to domestic aircraft as well as international). It will also include capacity to park wide-bodied aircraft, including the new long-haul Boeing 787, which will be launched in 2008 and is capable of flying direct from Wellington to Singapore and many other long-haul destinations.

“The 787 will revolutionise Wellington tourism and business, and is something we are absolutely determined to achieve,” said Mr Draper. “However, the extra international departure gates are needed now. Growth on trans-Tasman volumes means the international lounge, arrivals areas and aircraft gates are congested during peak periods and we need to address this urgently.”


click to enlarge plan Since the beginning of 2004 the number of international airlines operating from the terminal has grown from four to six, while the Gold Coast and Nadi have been added as destinations. The Australian budget airline Jetstar has also announced it will begin flying in New Zealand later this year.

Wellington architects Studio of the Pacific Architecture and Warren Mahoney are doing the design and construction work is scheduled to begin early next year and be completed by late 2007.


“The design brief included a requirement to reflect Wellington’s status as a vibrant and daring cultural city,” said Mr Draper. “In terms of Wellington Airport’s overall retail environment, we are very keen to broaden the range of outlets and greatly increase local content so that it fully reflects the diversity and sophistication of Wellington’s retail scene. We’ll be approaching retailers who we believe are as ‘Wild at Heart’ as we are.”

Wellington City Mayor Kerry Prendergast said: "This is fantastic news for Wellington and a sign that Wellington Airport has confidence in this city’s future, not just from a business perspective, but from a tourism perspective as well. Wellington will continue to grow as a significant business centre and a tourism destination, and we need to be prepared for it with sound infrastructure. We congratulate the company on its foresight.”

In addition to the terminal upgrade, the investment includes a $23 million extension of the southern end of the runway by 90 metres to deliver an additional safety precaution. An option analysis into lengthening the runway’s northern end is also underway.



"This project is principally driven by a desire to further improve safety at the airport. The expansion will bring us into line with best practice internationally. Naturally, we don't rule out extra runway length where we can deliver it at a reasonable cost. The 787 is able to operate long haul off the current runway, but all improvements are worthwhile and there are some existing short-haul aircraft that suffer limitations on our runway."

Some $12 million has been earmarked for car-parking redevelopment. This will provide a better quality of service, and a wider range of choice for customers, both in terms of facilities and prices. The upgrade will include additional decks, more undercover parking, better weather protection and different price points.

Mr Draper said Wellington Airport is initiating discussions with airlines on the changes, and is talking with its retail outlets on the terminal changes. The incumbent duty free operator has a lease until 2009 and will be amongst those tendering for a new, expanded lease, along with several others from Australasia, Asia and Europe.

Adds Positively Wellington Tourism’s Chief Executive, Tim Cossar: “Wellington Airport is a major funding partner of Wellington's consumer marketing campaign in Australia. Almost one in four international visitors to Wellington are from Australia and Wellington Airport is playing a key role in ensuring this market continues to grow. The financial support of Wellington Airport has allowed Positively Wellington Tourism to grow its marketing in Australia and to become the first region in New Zealand to implement a significant consumer marketing campaign. This new investment is another positive step in growing Wellington tourism.”

Concluded David Newman, Chairman of Wellington Airport and of major shareholder Infratil: “We have been working very closely with other stakeholders to improve Wellington’s connectivity to the world. We’re committed to helping the city grow and we’re here for the long haul.”

For further information please contact:

Simon Draper 04 385 5141 or Andy Scotland 04 385 5106

Media Release Date: 04/08/2005

[KIWIKAAS]

Great news!
In the last 10 years WLG has gone from being NZs worst dump of an airport to (in my opinion) the countries best terminal. With these improvements its just getting better. On a operational level its good to see that they are going to make safety zones on the runway ends. Considering the length of the runway (aprox 1900m), the 10m hight difference between the northern and southern ends, regular cross winds and high windshear risk it would seem high time that they increased the margins. With the regular fog and storm conditions high density aproach lighting wouldnt go a miss either.

[flyin_higher]

Some update pics....

The Holiday Inn Hotel
From the Railway Station:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Wellingtonstuff001.jpg
Looking north:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Wellingtonstuff002.jpg
Maritime Tower:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Wellingtonstuff003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Wellingtonstuff004.jpg
That new tower on the waterfront:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Wellingtonstuff006.jpg
The new Aldins bldg:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Wellingtonstuff008.jpg

[property_boy]

New Waterfront Development (Harbour Quays): Updated Website

http://harbourquays.co.nz/images.html

Some cool images...

[flyin_higher]

Interesting website, Cheers!

[property_boy]

HILTON BY THE SEA: An application for resource consent to build this Hitlon Hotel on Queens Wharf is to be lodged before the end of the year.


Waterfront Hilton a step closer
17 September 2005
By JULIE JACOBSON

Famously endorsed by film director Peter Jackson and likened to a tank radiator, a Hilton Hotel planned for Wellington's waterfront has moved a step closer.


Negotiations for the property rights to build the $45 million, 142-room hotel on the Queens Wharf Outer T had been completed and an application for resource consent would be lodged before the end of the year, developer George Middleditch said yesterday.

An application for the controversial project was signalled last July – more than a decade after it was first proposed.

The Hilton Group was "committed and raring to go," Wellington Waterfront chief executive Ian Pike said.

Though the design for the five-star boutique development, which would have under-wharf access plus public restaurants and bars on the ground floor, had been agreed and approved by the city council in 2003, some details had still to be finalised.

"We will be working with the designers to resolve those. They won't have a material effect.

"What you have seen in the past is really what you can expect."

The project has had a rocky passage since it was mooted in the early 1990s, with repeated delays on waterfront development, and disputes over height and design.

Three years ago the budget was estimated at about $35 million. Soaring construction costs have added at least $10 million.

In October 2002, Russell Walden, associate professor of architecture at Victoria University, described the hotel as "an abysmal piece of design", while other critics, among them city councillor Stephanie Cook who likened it to a truck radiator, called it "dull and average", "an overpriced sleepout for the rich" and "a private building on a public space".

A poll of Wellington residents in 2003 showed 55 per cent supported the concept, and 29 per cent were opposed. One supporter was King Kong director Peter Jackson, who said stars and crew needed top-end accommodation when they were here filming.

Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast has welcomed the latest move, saying it was an exciting project that would bring life to the northern wharf area.

[flyin_higher]

Good news. I've seen the design too, didn't look too bad.

[KingKong1]

it should get through wellington city council pretty easily as they seem to be approving of everything lately

[flyin_higher]

Here's a render of it
http://www.wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz/Images/uploads/HotelOuterT.jpg

[mtb_nz]

^^

yeah its taken ages to get the hilton design on the way

[*astro*]

Though i fully support the idea for a hilton on the waterfront, the design is pretty average. I thought we we're getting away from the boxy designs... That design could be anywhere, there is nothing that stands out, shouts luxury or says "This is the best hotel in New Zealand's creative Capital". Curves add interest and seeing as the hotel is sitting on such an important site you would think they would give it the "wow factor". On the bright side at least we will have more than 1 5-star hotel and it shows that wellington can cater for the rich and famous. Lets just see what design aspects have to be fixed....

PS: In early october we will get to see the designs for the new building to be built on waitangi park. Architects from around the world are competing and there is a big emphasis on difference and promoting the city's creativity. They can be seen at the academy of fine arts. wellington waterfront has more information.

[mtb_nz]

yeah I totally agree with you there astro about the design of the hilton. But I have heard that the design may be changed again. I think something this classy should look a bit more classy

[flyin_higher]

Well i've said it before and i'll say it again, if you want more class, you need more glass;)

[mtb_nz]

Just thought i would show u's a pic of what the maritime tower is meant to look like when its finished :cheers:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/maritime.jpg

[Marky Mark]

Have you heard or seen anything more about that new large commercial Building opposite the Majestic Tower ?

[mtb_nz]

Have you heard or seen anything more about that new large commercial Building opposite the Majestic Tower ?

nope havent heard anything about that one for quite a while now, but I guess it will be taking some time as there needs to be demolition of a building that is currently on the site... I hope it does get going as that area could do with another tall building there :cheers:

[mtb_nz]

Here is an artist’s drawing of a new proposed 14 level building in Wellington

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/new2.jpg

The planned building has been said to be about $100 million to build. And would be Wellington’s biggest building with 47,600 square meters of total floor space (even though its only 14 levels high). Each level would have a floor area of 3400 square meters

The building would have the ground floor for shops, 2 floors for parking and 11 office floors.

The developer of this building (Mark Dunajtschik) will apply to the Wellington City Council for resource consent by the end of this year. And as the building will not exceed the areas 50-meter height limit, this buildings application should be dealt with very quickly
If consents were obtained, construction could start in the first quarter of 2006

The site location is on 1 Featherston Street

[flyin_higher]

Thats right opposite the railway station, looks good, pitty it ain't higher but I spose thats for various reasons (like not blocking the sunlight and stuff).

[mtb_nz]

Thats right opposite the railway station, looks good, pitty it ain't higher but I spose thats for various reasons (like not blocking the sunlight and stuff).

yeah totally agree with you there about the height... I think they should increase the height restrictions in Wellington a bit more in some areas :cheers:

[sam_L]

Yeah that wouldn't be bad, but building height is probably also limited by the fact there is a high earthquake risk there. And a low, dense skyline could look quite nice anyway.

[flyin_higher]

Well not always, most modern buildings are fairly resistant to total earthquake damage. With earthquake risk a key factor is the underlying geology. If there is bedrock (Greywacke in Wtgn's case) then foundations can go deeper and are stronger. But if there is only sedimentary material, then there is going to be a risk, which could be the case here.

[property_boy]

Leading architects a coup for waterfront compet'n
Monday, 26 September 2005, 12:14 pm
Press Release: Wellington Waterfront Ltd
<b>Leading architects a coup for waterfront competition</b>
Some of the world’s best architects display their leading edge designs, for four proposed new buildings for Waitangi Park, from 4-21 October at Queens Wharf.

WWL Chief Executive Ian Pike says it’s a real coup for Wellington Waterfront Ltd to have secured such a high calibre of architects to compete to design buildings on the waterfront.

“We hope that these buildings will contribute to the transformation of Wellington’s waterfront into a place of architectural, cultural, entertainment and recreational renown.”

The designs will be exhibited at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, Queens Wharf, from 4-9 October and then at the Waterfront Project Information Centre (Shed 6, Queens Wharf) for the remainder of the exhibition.

The exhibition will showcase the five shortlisted entries in the waterfront’s international competition in which architectural firms were invited to submit designs for the four new buildings.

The five architectural firms exhibiting are:

- Shin Takamatsu Architect and Associates Co Ltd – Kyoto, Japan

- UN Studio – Amsterdam, The Netherlands

- John Wardle Pty Ltd Architects – Melbourne, Australia

- Oosterhuis_Lenard – Rotterdam, The Netherlands

- Architecture Workshop Ltd/Kerstin Thompson Architects Joint Venture – Wellington, New Zealand/Melbourne, Australia

Mr Pike says the competition provides an opportunity to create something really special for the waterfront and the city. “Ultimately we want these buildings to be something that makes Wellington stand apart from other cities in New Zealand and the world – a real point of difference.”

The competition will be judged by a panel made up of architects Ian Athfield, Professor John Hunt and Chris McDonald, television and radio personality Maggie Barry, WWL Chair Fran Wilde and a representative from Te Papa. The panel will consider public feedback, along with the following criteria when making their decision:

ADVERTISEMENT
- design excellence

- creativity and imagination – elevating the city’s reputation as a centre of creativity

- responsiveness to context – complementing and enhancing Waitangi Park, the waterfront promenade as well as the broader waterfront and city

- contribution to the critical debate on architecture and urbanism

- expression of contemporary culture

- functionality

- estimated costs and feasibility of design and construction and fit with the Wellington Waterfront Framework

Feedback forms will be provided at the exhibition.

“We hope as many people as possible will come down to see the designs and let us know what they think,” Mr Pike says.

Further information on the competition and the shortlisted architects is available online at www.wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz. Design images will be available online from Tuesday 4 October.

ENDS

<b> Bummer we have to wait till 4th October for the pictures!! </b>

[flyin_higher]

Sounds very interesting, hopefully we see something really top quality. Maybe they will venture into the area of environmentally responsible architecture? Oooo

[mtb_nz]

Yes it is going to go ahead and get built now :)

Rococo Hotel

Wellington City council has approved a 14 level boutique hotel and apartment complex off Courtenay place, which will stand 16 meters higher than it permitted limit (building will be 43 meters high).

Cost of the hotel is $30 million

Will be located on Alpha street (30 meters from Courtenay place).
It will feature 69 apartments, 47 of them dedicated hotel suites.

They will begin construction early next year and take nearly 2 years to build

[atkinson1]

Just thought i would show u's a pic of what the maritime tower is meant to look like when its finished :cheers:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/maritime.jpg

reminds me of XEROX tower in Chicago

http://www.aviewoncities.com/img/chicago/kveus1871b.jpg
SOURCE: http://www.aviewoncities.com/img/chicago/kveus1871b.jpg

[Marky Mark]

Yes it is going to go ahead and get built now :)

Rococo Hotel

Wellington City council has approved a 14 level boutique hotel and apartment complex off Courtenay place, which will stand 16 meters higher than it permitted limit (building will be 43 meters high).

Cost of the hotel is $30 million

Will be located on Alpha street (30 meters from Courtenay place).
It will feature 69 apartments, 47 of them dedicated hotel suites.

They will begin construction early next year and take nearly 2 years to build

Good stuff , have I missed the Renders ? Is it on the Wellington List MTB NZ ? :)

[heavyzakura334]

wow, wellington is developing beautifully. It will be interesting to see if the city can grow and still keep its uniqueness so that it doesnt become Auckland.

[flyin_higher]

I don't think there is a risk that Wellington will beocme like Auckland, simply because of geography.

[mtb_nz]

Good stuff , have I missed the Renders ? Is it on the Wellington List MTB NZ ? :)

I had a pic of it somewhere, when I find it ill post it up.

[flyin_higher]

A pic from the Dom Post showing the Maritime Tower construction site (and incl. a render)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/common/imageViewer/0,1445,206788,00.jpg

[mtb_nz]

have a close look at this pic I took today of the Maritime Tower... looks like they have a piece of the glass up

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/maritime/maritime.jpg

[mtb_nz]

all the cranes have gone now... just a little bit of work on the bottom part of the tower and its all go... yes a very nice looking building indeed :cheers:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/custom/cus1.jpg

[flyin_higher]

Yea it does look like the first glass panel on the Maritime Tower. Did you happen to see the advertising billboard with render at the site? Its on the Customhouse Quay side, and the design, from what I can see, looks a bit taller.

[mtb_nz]

Yea it does look like the first glass panel on the Maritime Tower. Did you happen to see the advertising billboard with render at the site? Its on the Customhouse Quay side, and the design, from what I can see, looks a bit taller.

yes i sure did... here is a close up of the billboard lol

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/maritime/what-it-will-look-like.jpg

I also posted a pic of what it will look like when finished in number 204 reply to this thread :cheers:

[flyin_higher]

Oh ok, so the design is the same. I already knew what it looked like, but I wondered if the design had changed, but it appears not, cause i still see at least 18 levels (the original height proposed). An appeal on the resource consent last year tried to get the height reduced to 16 levels, but obviously that did not happen.
Design looks pretty good i reckon, I like the curved glass.
:cheers:

[mtb_nz]

update pics of the Holiday Inn Hotel in Featherston Street

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/holiday%20inn/holiday-inn2.jpg
^^ looking north

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/holiday%20inn/holiday-inn.jpg
^^ close up

[flyin_higher]

I see they are putting up that zig-zag type concrete window fronts, as per the render. I count about 6 more floors to go, well structurally anyway, probably more in terms of concrete floors etc.

[mtb_nz]

yeah i thought the zig-zag type concrete window fronts are quite cool :cheers:

[*astro*]

Remember that that is just the first of 3 towers to be built. Tower 1 will be the hotel and apartments, tower 2 and 3 will be a mix of office, retail, carparking and apartments. These are pics of what the rooms will look like. http://www.holidayinnwellington.co.nz/product/Room1.jpg http://www.holidayinnwellington.co.nz/product/Room2.jpg

[flyin_higher]

You mean this one? I think that '3 towers' plan has gone off the boil cause the rest of the site was sold last recently, and according to mtb's post, this could be built there instead...

Here is an artist’s drawing of a new proposed 14 level building in Wellington

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/new2.jpg

The planned building has been said to be about $100 million to build. And would be Wellington’s biggest building with 47,600 square meters of total floor space (even though its only 14 levels high). Each level would have a floor area of 3400 square meters

The building would have the ground floor for shops, 2 floors for parking and 11 office floors.

The developer of this building (Mark Dunajtschik) will apply to the Wellington City Council for resource consent by the end of this year. And as the building will not exceed the areas 50-meter height limit, this buildings application should be dealt with very quickly
If consents were obtained, construction could start in the first quarter of 2006

The site location is on 1 Featherston Street

[*astro*]

errr dunno. Getting information off www.holidayinnwellington.co.nz.

[flyin_higher]

lol, yea that website hasn't been updated in like 2 years. Obviously the Holiday Inn is being built, but thats it in terms of that developer (Melview), as I said, they sold the rest of the property earlier in the year to another group who want to build a 14 level officer building on it, so same result either way, just different people.

[mtb_nz]

Just a few pics of the Cube apartments, which is student accommodation for massey


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/cube/cubeapartmentsfinal.jpg
What its meant to look like when finished


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/cube/cube-apartments.jpg
View from Taranaki Street


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/cube/back-view.jpg
View from Webb Street

[property_boy]

Waitangi Park Waterfront Buildings - Designs Released

News Article: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0510/S00023.htm

Images: http://wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz/Article.aspx?catid=870
(note: some pretty big pdf files to download, but some very cool designs - check out UN Studio, my favortie so far closely followed by john wardle)

[Marky Mark]

Good finds Property Boy ! :)

[Marky Mark]

Only those that have lived in Wellington can understand this full Affair ! :)

Rachel Buchanan writes from Melbourne on her long-distance relationship with the city of her dreams.


A mistake was made somewhere in the early 1970s. At the time when my mum and dad should have relocated from Sydney to Wellington, New Zealand, they shifted to New Plymouth, a provincial city half way up that country's North Island. Then, in the early 1980s, another, bigger mistake occurred.

This time, mum and dad shifted their family down the island, as far inland as you can go, to the town of Masterton, capital of Wairarapa and home to the annual Golden Shears shearing competition.

As well as the shearing (which residents were reminded of by the pair of gigantic clippers that towered over the town's one roundabout), Masterton also had a deer park, a lake at which people could hire giant plastic tractors that they paddled with foot pedals, one video games parlour and two enormous undulating water slides. That was it.

Like many other teenagers who lived in the Wairarapa, I found alcohol to be a diverting hobby.

Some people imagine they have ended up in the wrong family. The family was debatable but I knew for sure I was in the wrong place. I belonged in Wellington.

When I was small and my family went to Wellington to visit dad's parents or mum's sister, I pretended that this hilly harbour city was my home. I was free to dodge between the busy peoples' legs on Lambton Quay, get lost on Cuba Street among the fishmongers and pastry shops, or stare at the old bearded men who slept on park benches in the tiny scrubby park by Manners Mall.

If I lived in Wellington, I could go to Kirks (Kirkaldie and Stains department store) and listen to the yellow canaries sing in their golden cages whenever I wanted.

If I lived in Wellington, I could ride on the trolley buses all day, watching the blue and yellow sparks fly off the overhead wires that criss-crossed the sky over Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Courtenay Place, Karori Road.

If I lived in Wellington I would be able to go and see every single rugby international at Athletic Park. I would sit between my grandmother and my grandfather in the best seats in the stadium, down low and close to the centre kick-off line and at half-time I would get a deep-fried battered sausage on a stick, dipped in tomato sauce.

My grandma was the secretary of the Wellington Rugby Football Union.

As a consequence, she was in the know about everything and every one. One of her contacts was Ivan Vodanovich, a former All Black player and coach who owned a men's suit shop on the corner of Featherstone and Hunter streets. Ivan was handsome and elegant, a figure from a storybook in his beautifully cut tweed overcoat and trousers. His black hair was thick and tame, slicked back from his face.

AdvertisementAdvertisementIvan had seats close to my grandparents at Athletic Park. If I lived in Wellington, I could see Ivan all the time.

When I became a teenager and was living in Masterton, my yearning intensified. Wellington was only an hour and a half away by train. It stung me to know that my Wellington life, the city life I so wanted, was being lived out by my cousin Jane, who was the same age as me.

She went to St Mary's and after school she used to walk into town with her friends and buy a croissant with jam from the French bakery. You could not buy anything like that in Masterton.

As soon as I was old enough (17), I set about fixing my parents' mistakes. I applied for law and journalism. Even if I didn't get into either I was still shifting to Wellington, the capital city, the place where I should have been all along.

That summer I worked three jobs to achieve my aim: I picked fruit, I was a nurse's aide in an old peoples' home and a cleaner at the Masterton hospital. At the hospital I had to go round the wards and collect test-tubes full of blood, urine and faeces. I also collected bacteria that had been grown in petrie dishes by the people in the lab. Some of these things would go in the autoclave, a heavy steriliser that I opened and closed by turning a silver steering wheel. The rest of the stuff I cleaned with a bottle brush and soapy water.

One day I wanted a break, so I decided to donate some blood. I was looking forward to the fortifying shot of brandy all donors received but I fainted instead. All I got was a cup of tea and a biscuit, a shrewsberry with raspberry jam in the middle.

The cleaning was disgusting work but the extra danger money made it worthwhile. By the end of February I had saved something like $2000, an enormous sum for the time.

There was a red train that went from Masterton to Wellington. I caught it. My destination was Weir House, an orange-roofed hall of residence run by Victoria University. I had got in to the journalism diploma at Wellington Polytech and I had a room at Weir House.

Weir House is on Gladstone Terrace, the stop before the top of Wellington's famous cable car that runs between the quay and the botanical gardens. The south-facing rooms on the top floor had awesome views.

My friend Kate and I used to lift up the big sash window and sit on the wide ledge watching the wind blow the weather over the harbour. On the occasional sunny day, the harbour glittered a most terrifying hard blue and the two wee islands - Matiu- Sommes and Mokopuna - turned a rigid green-black.

Mostly the harbour was a softer grey, blue or green enclosed by the sheltering hills of Tinokori, Kau Kau, Mount Victoria and the more distant Tararua and Orongorongo ranges. Palmer and Pencarrow heads guard the entrance, ushering the Cook Strait ferries in and out.

I have never lost my pleasure in the harbour and the hills and the wooden Victorian houses that are stacked all over them.

Between the harbour and the hills is the city centre, a pleasingly compact collection of three main roads joined by humble Willis, home of the unsurpassable Unity Books and bisected by interesting avenues such as Vivian Street, the location of the capital's minute red-light district.

There is the conservative Lambton Quay (the site for Kirks, a jewel of a department store, where the canaries still sing), unconventional Cuba (see the permanently malfunctioning bucket fountain in Cuba Mall) and booze-central Courtenay Place, where revellers like to check the functioning of their internal organs with a ride on the groaning reverse bungy machine.

Around the city centre are the inner suburbs. Like relatives gathered at a successful extended family do, they have diverse characters, some more appealing than others.

Aro Valley is alternative, Kelburn is posh, Mount Victoria is steep, Newtown is multicultural, Brooklyn is steeper than Mount Vic and very-self aware, Thorndon is historic.

I am wedded to this place but it is a long-distance relationship. I did my year and a bit at polytech and more than a decade later spent six months in Wellington studying creative writing with poet Bill Manhire but aside from that, Wellington and I live apart.

Our contact is fleeting, restricted to holiday visits, mostly in January, mostly during the few weeks where the city gets the great percentage of its generous annual rainfall. My passion for this place is bigger than the weather. Mostly.

The reason I visit Wellington so often is that my parents and half my seven siblings live there.

My parents moved to Wellington six years after I left home. My younger brothers and sisters had the city childhood I dreamed of. Well, that's life.

At least now my children can experience the volcanic extremes of the home town that has never actually been home for me. There's been some bad times. One January we were evacuated from my parents' hillside house after torrential rain caused a landslide.

Tonnes of dirt and stones poured into their laundry and the neighbours' gold Rolls-Royce, housed in a palatial garage directly above the back bedroom, threatened to follow.

There have been many more good times. January 2005, for example, was uncharacteristically warm.

Granted, there were a couple of earthquakes but aside from that sunny day followed sunny day in a pattern that resembled a regular southern hemisphere summer.

Wellington is so lovely on a sunny day. A few minutes walk from the Embassy Theatre - the cinema that Wellington resident Peter Jackson did up for his film premieres - is Oriental Parade.

Next to the glass ship that is the Freiberg pool, a new city beach has been created using golden sand taken (stolen, my mother says) from some little hippy peninsula down south. Farewell Spit I think it was.

The day we visited, blue water lapped at the sand.

Children clambered all over the spider-web tower in the new playground. Swimmers showered off the salt in the new wood and stone toilet and shower block, a structure so sleek, well-made and beautiful that I could hardly believe it was a public utility. Out to sea, the Oriental Bay fountain shot seawater skyward.

The fountain is a gorgeous folly illuminated pinkblue- red-yellow at night as the water battles, valiantly, to stay upright against a bracing southerly gale. When the wind gets up in Melbourne, I can feel the rush of Wellington on my face.

[rickster2k]

Where abouts downtown is the Maritime Building being built? Also, i looks as if KPMG are going to be the main tennant.

[property_boy]

it isn't too far from the corner of ballance street and jervois quay...
(not too far from the shell station - accross the road over a small side street connecting to whitmore street)

http://www.wises.co.nz/map/default.asp?a=find&svctype=1&zoomin=true&move=true

I hear BNZ are moving their Technology operations there also from an older building they are currently a tennant of in Boullcot Street.

[mtb_nz]

Yeah I quite like the maritime building being built... it look very stylish

I was reading it the other day that Wellington needs more A-grade commercial buildings. As companies are moving out of the older buildings and so they are putting pressure on the need for A-grade buildings

[mtb_nz]

It really reminds me why I like living in Wellington... where did you get it from?

[property_boy]

more development in oriental bay,....man, what a great address to have. looks like that whole strip might be all lined with luxury apartment buildings one after the other soon enough.

http://www.casgroup.co.nz/mariner.htm

[mtb_nz]

^^

Ive always wanted to live in oriental bay, but 4 years ago the average house price there was $1,000,000 so i guess its alot more now.
Once i win lotto with powerball i will buy a place there :cheers:

[Marky Mark]

It really reminds me why I like living in Wellington... where did you get it from?

Just noticed that Question , I think it was from the Age , the Main News Paper here in Melbourne ! Nah I just Checked it was from Stuff News NZ LOL :cheers:

[mtb_nz]

more development in oriental bay,....man, what a great address to have. looks like that whole strip might be all lined with luxury apartment buildings one after the other soon enough.

http://www.casgroup.co.nz/mariner.htm

yeah its getting more and more impressive every year with new developments happening there... i wonder when there will be another tall one built there?? as it could do with a few more taller ones

[mtb_nz]

A couple of pics of the Museum apartment block that will be nearing completion soon

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/museum/museum-apartments2.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/museum/museum-apartments1.jpg

[flyin_higher]

Wow certainly have turned out pretty cool looking, good urban design there too;)

[Marky Mark]

A couple of pics of the Museum apartment block that will be nearing completion soon

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/museum/museum-apartments2.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/museum/museum-apartments1.jpg

Like the Window Shutter look ! Actually they look like high Floor Plates , are they 3m or 4m ? Bet ya they are very New York like inside ! :cheers:

[mtb_nz]

Like the Window Shutter look ! Actually they look like high Floor Plates , are they 3m or 4m ? Bet ya they are very New York like inside ! :cheers:

the ground floor looks about 4m (as its a lot higher than me)... not sure about the others though

Its a nice looking building :)

[flyin_higher]

Te Papa's bold new neighbours
23 November 2005
By ANNA SAUNDERS

Wellington's waterfront is in for a $53 million revamp with two futuristic designs unveiled for the windswept space around Te Papa.


The designs, by Dutch and Australian architects, are aimed at cementing the city's reputation as the creative capital and come as the nearby Waitangi Park and Overseas Terminal are also redesigned.

Wellington Waterfront is confident of finding an investor to develop two glass and timber buildings and construction could start as early as 2007.

But the company is more hesitant about the spiral-shaped, aluminium-clad gallery design, saying that rigorous costing is needed.

Architects from around the world were invited to submit "iconic" designs for four sites between Te Papa and the Overseas Terminal, on a budget of $53 million in total. A judging panel narrowed the competition down to five finalists.

The winners, John Wardle Architects of Melbourne and UN Studio of Amsterdam, were announced yesterday.

Panel chairman, Professor John Hunt of Auckland University, said the buildings would draw people to the waterfront, even in bad weather.

The UN Studio's aluminium-clad design offered a "striking interior" and "sculptural external form", he said.

The building will primarily offer exhibition space, including extra space for Te Papa, as well as a Chinese tea house which opens on to a garden.

It is open plan and will act as a "transition building" between its two taller neighbours, Te Papa and the Herd St Post Office building.

The John Wardle Architects design comprises two glass and timber buildings covering three of the sites. One building will include restaurants, activity hire and recreational activities such as rock climbing. The other will probably have cafes on the ground floor and apartments above.

Fellow judge Chris McDonald said the design was inspired by Wellington's "wind-eroded rocks".

Wellington Waterfront chief executive Ian Pike said the design competition was just the beginning of the process.

It is understood the designs are likely to be over budget and will need to be costed. The designs will go out for public consultation before being submitted for resource consents.

Wellington Waterfront would then look to secure tenants and offer potential developers and investors a package.

Mr Pike was confident the two John Wardle-designed buildings would attract financial backers as apartments were lucrative investments.

The winning designs were "bold" and "innovative", but he thought they would be "embraced by thinking Wellingtonians".

[SYDNEY]

One of the winning proposals for Wellington's waterfront .. WOW ! I love it

LINK:
http://www.wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz/Article.aspx?Articleid=873

AND ...

http://www.wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz/Images/uploads/WardleBoatharbour2copy.jpg

http://www.wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz/Images/uploads/WardleBoatharbour3.jpg

http://www.wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz/Images/uploads/WardleSlice.jpg