I know this has been posted in the past, but the Imperial Building Redevelopment bounding Fort Lane through to Queen Street is now being completed, the whole basement and current first level is being demolished at the moment, visible down Fort Lane, so as well as the shared spaces there will be this new space too...

http://theimperial.co.nz/#/spaces/-2

I know this has been posted in the past, but the Imperial Building Redevelopment bounding Fort Lane through to Queen Street is now being completed, the whole basement and current first level is being demolished at the moment, visible down Fort Lane, so as well as the shared spaces there will be this new space too...

http://theimperial.co.nz/#/spaces/-2


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5170810201_b233a0ae76_o.jpg

IMO this exciting development is worthy of its own thread, construction is moving forward hard out at the moment with no chance of a sleep-in weekends (I live next door); pneumatic drills being used to completely gut out the rear, I think the developers want to ensure this development is ready for the world cup...

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http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mQZRLHeO5cg/TUXRzoOHoKI/AAAAAAAABq8/ds10H4LRDeA/fortlane-1.jpg

Fort Lane - a shared space lane
Whilst still a shared space, the Fort Lane design has considered and embraced the Lane's special character including its gritty feel, low vehicle use and high evening pedestrian numbers.

The design includes:

improved street lighting on building facades to create a safer environment
the removal of street furniture due to the narrow nature of the street
neon art work Eyelight by Swedish artist David Svensson running along the lane, enhancing the area as a distinctive night time destination
a single pavement colour which integrates the surrounding streets while allowing the character of the buildings and the proposed light artwork to dominate." Auckland Council


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Fort St sexed up
By Frances Morton
5:30 AM Sunday Dec 12, 2010

The dangerous and risque neighbourhood around Auckland's Fort St is best known for crime, brothels, stripclubs, backpackers and, of course, the White Lady burger cart.

But this rough diamond is transforming from grit to glam with work to open a swanky new entertainment precinct.

The historic Imperial Buildings, which housed Auckland's first big movie theatres, are being renovated into a glitzy mall running from Fort Lane to Queen St, with new wine bars, silver-service restaurants, shops and character offices built around an inner courtyard.

The council has begun related work on upgrading Fort St, Fort Lane and Jean Batten Place to pedestrian-friendly streets, to be completed in August next year.

The downtown area near Fort Lane was named the "most dangerous spot for random street violence" by Metro .

But the area could become Auckland's answer to the Meatpacking District in New York which went from the city's hub of illicit activity to its trendiest bar neighbourhood.

Fort St's Imperial and Everybody's buildings were bought by Phillimore Properties last year. The Queen St frontages are occupied by luxury retailers Gucci and Louis Vuitton but the back of the expansive complex has been hidden from the public for decades.

The buildings were previously used for offices and paint manufacturing. But plans by architects Fearon Hay, lodged with the council, reveal the refurbished buildings will have soaring spiral staircases, light shafts, a food and beverage court and space for six bars and restaurants.

The Newmarket-based Pack Group, which owns leading bars including Matterhorn in Wellington and the multi-level Snapdragon in the Viaduct, is rumoured to be the tenant. Neighbouring bar-owners have begun upgrading their premises in anticipation of Fort Lane becoming a hot destination.

Just looking at the Fort Lane photo above, it doesn't look too fancy does it?

Just the footpath done up (no fancy paving) and some random light work.

Nothing striking.

Just looking at the Fort Lane photo above, it doesn't look too fancy does it?

Just the footpath done up (no fancy paving) and some random light work.

Nothing striking.

It looks fine to me. Fort Lane is the back of a bunch of buildings. Sure you could make it fancy, but I would much rather see that money saved and spent on other shared spaces.

The plan is to retain the gritty back street element to Fort Lane, while upgrading the paving and generally making the area safer. Looks fine as far as I am concerned, anything is an improvement and the Imperial Buildings development will open the area up and add a whole new dimension.

We don't want everything to be brand spanking new and clinical. Nice to retain some of the old character.

There are bound to be a few signs, doorways and windows into shops that are lit up and will add to the overall ambience but yeah, I agree that keeping the edgy/gritty nature will add something different.

Love the neon art work too.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5403118523_abdfbec304_o.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mQZRLHeO5cg/TUY_Ioi3cYI/AAAAAAAABrY/xyRjWUu80Z8/s720/Imperial1.jpg


http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mQZRLHeO5cg/TUY_ScOOKeI/AAAAAAAABrg/2rJ2dC1kKI4/s720/Imperial2.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5403741370_5fbf26e176_o.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_mQZRLHeO5cg/TUzA39SoG_I/AAAAAAAABug/sUdz0IeDe6M/s720/Imperial-Norman-Ng-001.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_mQZRLHeO5cg/TUzBPXPNWuI/AAAAAAAABuk/xB7Fhe0AIlc/Imperial-Norman-Ng-002.JPG

^^Progress looks good! I walked past the other day and was surprised at how much had been done.

The historic Imperial Buildings, which housed Auckland's first big movie theatres, are being renovated into a glitzy mall running from Fort Lane to Queen St, with new wine bars, silver-service restaurants, shops and character offices built around an inner courtyard.

I'll be amazed if they open any silver-service restaurants. Surely that's extremely old fashioned nowadays. Or did the writer just not know what they're talking about (not you Brojoro, I know).

Anyway, this whole development looks quite exciting.

http://www.theimperial.co.nz/#/spaces/-2

Just looking at the image on the website, you can see a big 'ROXY' sign on the Fort Lane frontage.

Would be a cool reference to the theatre that used to operate out of there.

:cheers:

I'll be amazed if they open any silver-service restaurants. Surely that's extremely old fashioned nowadays. Or did the writer just not know what they're talking about (not you Brojoro, I know).

Anyway, this whole development looks quite exciting.

Do we have any silver service restaurants left in Auckland? There used to be 4-5 of them.

They've been hard at work demolishing walls and digging into the basement for a couple of weeks now.

Anyone have plans of what the development will look like at Fort Lane level? They must have been working away for over a year now!

Here's some renders of the project:

http://fearonhay.com/#/Imperial/9

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5692999954_c057568aa4_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/5692999954/)
Fort Lane (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/5692999954/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5065/5693000428_b13a9b82ac_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/5693000428/)
Fort Lane (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/5693000428/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5073/5855745515_550cab1dda_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/5855745515/)
Imperial (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/5855745515/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

Doesn't look like it'll be finished very soon.

^^:ohno:This project was planned to be finished at the end of july and looks like it wont be finished until the end of october, lets hope........been working there for too long.........

Here are some pics of construction of the interior of the imperial arcade and queens theatre.
The core of the building. approx 24 tonne of steelwork in this part
http://i51.tinypic.com/2cgipom.jpg


None of the new steel work is attached to the existing building as the brick work is not stable enough. Its only attached to the blue stone on the basement level
http://i54.tinypic.com/n1uirm.jpg


This little spider crane was a god'send for erecting the steel
http://i52.tinypic.com/35jgebl.jpg


Fabrication of the spiral staircase in the factiry. Is made in one complete unit
http://i55.tinypic.com/2v2wcnc.jpg


A lattice work of scaffolding to help in the access
http://i54.tinypic.com/2q3uf81.jpg

Wow, thanks for the pics wildsosboy. That Staircase is mighty impressive.

Thanks for the updates wildsosboy - I can't believe how much work and time that has gone into this project - Pity it was not open for the RWC - would have been a Party Central in it's own right!

image of an upper courtyard in the Imperial buildings.

not far off now ...

http://blog.fearonhay.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/IMPERIAL_01.jpg

Wow again. Is this courtyard going to be open to the public?

^^

yes, but it's upstairs and out of the way a bit. it's a lobby/courtyard between some of the first-floor level tenanciest.

You can see it on the plan here.

http://theimperial.co.nz/#/spaces/1

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6118/6367667491_7c1804b585_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6367667491/)
Roxies (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6367667491/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6060/6367668003_f2f17f69b9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6367668003/)
Red Lighting (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6367668003/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6234/6367666107_0fcce5ff02_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6367666107/)
Imperial Lane (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6367666107/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6050/6367664931_1b0a46f355_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6367664931/)
Imperial Lane (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6367664931/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6053/6367668647_383b2673ab_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6367668647/)
Imperial (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6367668647/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6058/6367670543_c4cb1ded8a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6367670543/)
Imperial (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6367670543/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6450398819_b2ff71b414_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6450398819/)
Imperial (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6450398819/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6450399859_9df907ace1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6450399859/)
Imperial (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6450399859/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6450400785_1e51301069_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6450400785/)
Imperial (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6450400785/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6450401583_c51f3d642f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6450401583/)
Imperial (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6450401583/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6450402245_0d9ce5b6f0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6450402245/)
Imperial (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6450402245/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6450403029_8b722441ab_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6450403029/)
Imperial (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6450403029/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6450403759_0b4b87a302_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6450403759/)
Imperial (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6450403759/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6450404735_8a6598a3db_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6450404735/)
Imperial (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsyd/6450404735/) by craigsydnz (http://www.flickr.com/people/craigsyd/), on Flickr

^^ Wow that looks great

Very nice. I hope more of these types of development come along. This building lay empty for decades. I wonder how many other forgotten gems are out there. Britomart, Hotel De Brett, Wynyard Quarter and Imperial are hopefully just the start.

This is going to leave a few jaws on the ground when it opens. When we were there they were rushing to set things up for opening tomorrow. On the ground floor facing Imperial Lane and Fort Lane is "The Imperial" - a coffee bar that will be open from 7:30am to 11pm or later. The middle floor with the big chandeliers is called "Everybody's". The top floor is "Roxy" Bar & Restaurant with a rooftop deck/smoking area. The spiral staircase is awesome !

Finally we will be able to get a decent cup of coffee in the city late at night without having to resort to the usual suspects - Esquires, Coffee Club etc.

^^ Absolutely a positive development. Forget about late at night, even the early evening is difficult. Most independent coffee shops are closed by 4pm.

I miss the 4am weekend closings of K rd's never forgotten The Lost Angel cafe sooo much...

This is going to leave a few jaws on the ground when it opens. When we were there they were rushing to set things up for opening tomorrow. On the ground floor facing Imperial Lane and Fort Lane is "The Imperial" - a coffee bar that will be open from 7:30am to 11pm or later. The middle floor with the big chandeliers is called "Everybody's". The top floor is "Roxy" Bar & Restaurant with a rooftop deck/smoking area. The spiral staircase is awesome !

Is the whole development finished though? Is there more to open in the other 2 buildings?

This development looks really exciting - I wanna come back and visit AKL so bad...

Is the whole development finished though? Is there more to open in the other 2 buildings?

There seems to be a lot of work going on but I think that they are looking for commercial tenants now. Hopefully they have some lined up, I for one wouldn't mind having offices in The Imperial.

Looks great, thanks for the pics, looking forward to more buildings opening up their rear to Fort Lane, I think the shared space and Roxy will act as a catalyst to turn this into a pretty cool little part of town.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/themes/0/images/nzheraldlogo.gif

Old picture theatres get dramatic transformation
By Bernard Orsman
5:30 AM Wednesday Dec 7, 2011

http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/201150/SCCZEN_061211NZHGBLANE2_460x230.JPG

The remnants of two picture theatres that have been hidden from public view for half a century are part of the city's latest heritage refurbishment, featuring a cafe and restaurants tucked away in a new lane off Queen St.

The Imperial Laneway is a $13 million makeover of the 100-year-old Imperial and Everybody's buildings fronting Queen St, directly behind the Michael Hill, Louis Vuitton and Gucci retail stores.

Once the site of the Queen's and Everybody's picture theatres, which closed in 1956 and later became a Woolworths and then a Deka store, the buildings have been bought and transformed by Phillimore Properties into a Melbourne-style laneway with a ground floor cafe that turns into an oyster/tapa bar in the evenings, two restaurants on the first floor and commercial spaces throughout.

Director Ross Healy says it is not the most commercial deal in 20 years of Phillimore Properties refurbishing heritage buildings in the city, but it is part of the revitalisation of the downtown area that includes the Britomart precinct, Auckland Art Gallery upgrade and Q Theatre.

The new lane from Queen St runs about 80m through the existing building, down to a wider space lit by "light chimneys" at Fort Lane, which the Auckland Council has just finished paving as part of its shared space programme.

Phillimore directors Ross Healy, brother Ken and Terry Gould, said the council's investment in shared spaces - where pedestrians and motorists share newly-paved roadways - helped to trigger their investment.

Architects Fearon Hay have transformed the buildings. What is left of the 1911 Queen's theatre's ornate plastered ceiling is part of Everybody's bistro/bar that opens on to an internal courtyard.

Next door, in the former theatre space, which became the Roxy in 1929, is a more formal restaurant named Roxy with matching neon letters outside in Fort Lane.

The owners of La Zeppa restaurant, Snapdragon in the Viaduct and The Matterhorn and Foxglove in Wellington are behind the two restaurants. Former Matterhorn executive chief Sean Marshall is in charge of the kitchens.

One of the most unusual spaces is a lidded roof loft that was probably a warehouse at some stage and has been named "the Boathouse" by the directors, who are in the final stages of letting it to a commercial tenant. Another space, off the courtyard, could become a hairdressing salon.

Ross Healy said they had worked closely with heritage staff at Auckland Council and the Historic Places Trust to retain as much heritage fabric as possible. Brick walls and original pillars have not been plastered over, creating a slightly grungy feel.

Ken Healy said the buildings had been shut off from public view for so long, and said the goal had been to open them up for the next 100 years.

I went past here today. The cafe is open and was pretty busy.

Had a wander through today, and yeah, pretty packed. Seems very popular with the business crowd. Lots of builders still running around upstairs.

It's pretty cool, especially the spiral stairs but a little too cold and industrial for my liking with lots of hard, metallic edges (watch your fingers on the internal staircase going up). However thats just my personal taste. It's a quality addition to the area and love how it ties Fort lane to Q st. Look forward to seeing the restaurants open up.

You may view photographs HERE (http://eyeonauckland.com/2011/12/fort-lane/)

Anyone know what has happened to the eyelight artwork meant to go in Fort Lane? Is it going up soon?

Anyone know what has happened to the eyelight artwork meant to go in Fort Lane? Is it going up soon?

They had a red string up for a while and recently installed a little test trip at one spot. Imagine it's being made and should go up fairly soon. Will look pretty awesome methinks.

You may view photographs HERE (http://eyeonauckland.com/2011/12/fort-lane/)

Very sexy indeed

:applause: