Interesting use of an old government building. Any idea of price for pad? Are they planning on doing up the outside and landscaping?

Ugliest building in Napier. They better replace that cyan and change the period of architecture. Any plans for major changes???

I'm not sure what their plans are yet. Nor am I sure of the price, all the sign says is "1 or 2 bedroom apartments availible, 5% deposit" hehe

Yay!! Parents agreed to buy a digital camera. Finally. Only took a few years of convincing. Can't wait to try it out. Thinking of getting a few pictures of Mission Estate Winery. Awesome building and view. So much to take a picture of in HB at the moment.

Sunday did a '48 hours in HB' article in the newspaper magazine.. Can't find it on the internet but it was pretty complimentary and did well to sell us to Aucklanders. Very cool to see HB being advertised.

ps. thanks for the pics spotila

thats good news, more pics from you then!

heres a quick update on the PWC building:

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20165.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20166.jpg

Mission Estate Winery

Mission Estate is New Zealand's oldest winemaker. Established in 1851, The classic building shown below was erected in 1880 to house the monks who made wine and port in the area.

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/3705/missionwinery17nx.jpg

The view is breathtaking and can be admired over lunch or dinner.

http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/4940/missionview4fj.jpg

SUB MARIA NOMINI - the motto for the monks of the church in the early 1900's

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/8146/missionback11wj.jpg

The chapel is now a convention centre where businesses from all over New Zealand worship commercialism.

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/7082/missionchapel7yk.jpg

Because of this history and family ownership the knowledge of how to make great wine was passed on and lives today with the Mission earning 4 silver awards at the Air NZ Wine Awards 2005.

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/4953/grapevineshot8vd.jpg

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Some more pictures of Napier

The Dome and Soundshell

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4479/domeandsoundshell2nv.jpg

Marine Parade

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5356/marineparade0mu.jpg

Ocean Boulevard Refurbishment

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/9792/oceanboulevardrefurbishment7iy.jpg

Subdivisions - Parklands and Somerset Retirement Village

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/918/parklands7qe.jpg

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/1707/somersetretirement1mw.jpg

Finally, the Napier Sunken Gardens and a view of Napier

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/3603/sunkengardens9bb.jpg

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/1688/view5qp.jpg

Sorry for some of the foggyness - weird day!!??

Great pictures there rustawilliams napier and mission estate winery look really cool :cheers:

Too bad about losing the train to Wellington. To visit Napier is top of the list for any future visits to NZ.

nice rhys, good to see you've got your camera ;D

Yea cool pics man, The Mission Winery is a nice place and the wine is even better! lol :cheers:

todd or rhys, could one of you enlighten me as to whats going on on the corner of Sale and Hastings street? Big site cleared there recently, crane went in a few days ago. What's goin there?

Why its the site of the new Napier Briscoes store! Rebel Sport will be moving into the old Briscoes store further down the road opposite Station St.

Oh no not briscoes. People still shop there? That's so 1995.

Can anyone tell me about a rumour that some rich businessmen are planning to build an international airport at Bridge Pa by next year since the government won't let us put one at Westshore???

Seems silly to have an international and a domestic 20kms from each other.

:) National News :)
3.1 quake shakes Hawke's Bay

10.00am Monday May 29, 2006


An earthquake measuring 3.1 on the Richter scale shook Hawke's Bay last night.

GNS Science said the 10.35pm quake struck 10km west of Napier at a depth of 12km.

It was felt in Napier and Hastings.

- NZPA

yea I felt that. Theres been quite a few recently, I'd say atleast 5 I've felt in the last 2 months :o

A couple of updates:

PWC:
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20264.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20265.jpg

Briscoes Site:

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20267.jpg

Cheers for the update man :cheers:

Nice photos love to see Napier again. Been there last year with my dad and help him working on a new apartment up the hill. I'm sure most of those builders are from Auckland.

A few more updates~~~~

New hotel at east pier:
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20361.jpg

Apartment update:
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20363.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20366.jpg

Ahurirri quadrant:

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20369.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20370.jpg

:D:
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20371.jpg

Nic updates paulie! Its all looking good over Ahuriri way :cheers:

Heaps going on in Napier ... Good to see ! :cheers:

If this is on the Market , where's the new one LOL

http://www.bayleys.co.nz/images/list_img/1411636/1411636_1.jpg

Well that's a long story lol. They closed that one in the 90's, and they built a regional hospital at Hastings, and a large 'medical centre' in central Napier. I'm glad they are finally putting the old one on the market because it is such an eyesore and something needs to be developed on that site.

They're putting it on the market finally? Where's that sourced from? I wanna see!

They're putting it on the market finally? Where's that sourced from? I wanna see!

http://www.bayleys.co.nz/search/property.aspx?st=4&pt=0&rg=148&ar=235&MINPRICE=0&MAXPRICE=5000000plus&pc=10&go2.x=12&go2.y=10

both my firefox and IE refuse to open bayleys.co.nz :(

I recently learned quite a bit about Napier during my art history lecture - The Art Deco period - it looks like a great town and I have to see it sooner rather than later .. don't stop posting pics.

Couple of updates:

PWC
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20562.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20566.jpg

Briscoes
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20563.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20564.jpg

And I saw a large section of flood lights, guess it's part of the McLean park upgrade!
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20567.jpg

Sorry got excited for Napier LOL False alarm .... didn't read it properly , its called Napier Plaza but for Ponsonby !
Looks Huge ! Scroll down through the Properties ! :cheers:

http://www.latitudegroup.co.nz/projects.htm

Updates on PWC, it's starting to go upwards~

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20182.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20183.jpg

Thanks for the update spotila. The thread has been kinda dead. I need to go out and get some photos now that the camera is back.

Keep it up.

Here's a picture I took from my balcony this evening. Magpies vs someone, apparently they're getting whalloped. I know it's huge but that's ok!

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20252.jpg

Very etherial pic there spotila! Those new lights for McLean Park obviously work well lol.

Well as I said to you napier lads, here's some updates. Please everyone enjoy.

Briscoes coming along, pretty ugly though, I think this will be the back ;).

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20283.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20284.jpg

PWC, 3rd floor is starting. Todd, by 4 level do the really mean 3 plus a basement, or will there be 4 floors above ground?

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20286.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20288.jpg

Hotel in Ahuriri nearly done (Todd what's it called?)

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20289.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20290.jpg

Just a wee gem I found in the nether regions of Ahuriri, Union Hotel

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20291.jpg

West Quay

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20293.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20294.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20296.jpg

Water omg!
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20297.jpg

And the quadrant, which still has quite a way to go. Lemme know if theres anything else you want me to get pics of that I don't know about~

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20299.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20300.jpg

excellent spotila!

Yea great pics man!
re: questions-
1) Yep, 4 floors above ground as well as basement, so 1 more to go.
2) Do't know either, there hasn't been a name used for the project.

lol@water. Your wouldn't find that in Hastings!! hehe. (sorry couldn't help havin a go at our neighbourly rivals)
:cheers:

Gr8 pics mate - how long is the drive from JAFA land to Napier ? I need to see the city and soon.

4 & 1/2 hours roughly, if you take the quick route from Aucks via Hauraki Plains/ Matamata. The road is especially scenic on the Napier-Taupo road portion.

Who Bought it and whats ganna happen with it ?

National News
Hospital sold for $20m

5.00am Friday August 11, 2006


The former Napier Hospital and its prime 5ha site on the western end of the city's Bluff Hill have been sold for $20 million.

Tenders were to close today but Crown Health Financing Agency chairman Ross Turner said last night the $20 million offer was unconditional and "too attractive to turn down". The identity of the purchaser has not been disclosed.

I see. Keep us updated marky!

4 & 1/2 hours roughly, if you take the quick route from Aucks via Hauraki Plains/ Matamata. The road is especially scenic on the Napier-Taupo road portion.

Thanks Flyin ;)

PWC update from 2 or 3 days ago, and a bonus night shot from the beach:

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20359.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20355.jpg

Luv that Night shot :cheers:

Cheers for that update man, PWC is coming along nicely;)

A couple of updates from Napier~

Mitre10 Mega coming along, it's so huge.
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20599.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20600.jpg

and ofcourse the PWC, 3 stories high now.
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20601.jpg

Great update pix there.. just looking at your first pic.. do u guys get Bunnings warhouse in New Zealand??

Good updates spotila, and ^^ yes we do have bunnings.

Great update pix there.. just looking at your first pic.. do u guys get Bunnings warhouse in New Zealand??

2 I've visited in Auckland - Constallation Dr and Botany. There's one in Manukau as well.

This link lists them all (http://www.bunnings.com.au/site/awdepfour.asp?q=0&dealer=5709&depnum=10514).

Meteor rattles Hawke's Bay (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10398607)

http://www.space.com/images/v_asteroid_impact_02.jpg

A meteor lit up the Hawke's Bay sky last night and burned up with a boom that rattled windows.

"It was like an earthquake, but without the shaking," said one Akina woman.

Maraekakaho woman Liz Wilson heard "the weirdest noise, like a V8 engine" at about 9.45pm.

"We got in the car, as you do, and had a look around the place ... we so wanted to find a big, burning thing," she said.

An Otane woman said her father saw a "huge, big fireball with a long tail" overhead and heading towards Elsthorpe.

Bruce Hoyt was driving south along the Hawke's Bay Expressway when the sky lit up as if by lightning.

"It came down, heading south, then broke up into six to eight pieces, before fading out. A second or so later, I heard a bang.

"I would say the bang was from the meteor hitting the atmosphere. The sound came later because it travels slower than light."

That summation was right, said Hawke's Bay Astronomical Society president Gary Sparks. "When these things come in, it is explosive decompression. With the heat of re-entry they reach a critical temperature and they explode," he said.

The clear sky last night would have helped the sound travel. His guess was the meteor would have been no larger than a basketball.

August is one of the times of year when meteor showers were more frequent, Mr Sparks said, with the Earth - orbiting the Sun at 100,000km/h - meeting the dust trail of a meteor.

"What people saw last night was probably a rogue meteor, something that was not in the same path as the dust trail," Mr Sparks said.

Taradale Shopping Centre Upgrade

Due to start contruction in 2008, Taradale, my suburbian tired town is going to be revamped into the 21st century :cheers2:

Hawkes Bay Today

FEATURE: Supermarket to stay, says Taradale developer

30.09.2006
LAWRENCE GULLERY
Taradale people can relax - they won't be losing their local supermarket if a plan to upgrade the town is approved by the Napier City Council later this year.

The Taradale Town Centre Project discussion document is out for public consultation but has caused confusion among regular shoppers at the town's McDonalds New World Supermarket.

The Beaton Group, which owns the supermarket and other sites in the shopping centre, plans to lease a new site from Foodstuffs, under the New World banner, in Greenmeadows by 2008.

Foodstuffs had applied to the Napier City Council for a resource consent to build the new supermarket on a block bordered by York Avenue, Auckland Road and Gloucester Street.

The discussion document, however, suggests the Taradale supermarket site will then be left vacant and open for development.
Beaton Group spokesman, Bill Beaton, said that was not the case and the Taradale supermarket would still be there in a smaller form, if the Greenmeadows site opened.

"I've had six calls from people worried about the supermarket closing, but we want to assure people that they will still be able to shop there.

"It has caused a bit of confusion. Some people say they won't be able to travel to Greenmeadows to do their grocery shopping," Mr Beaton said.

Napier people have begun to voice their concerns about the $2.3 million upgrade plan for Taradale.

Issues include the introduction of parking meters, the availability of the discussion document, the expansion of the shopping precinct into White Street and the loss of Mitre 10.

Napier resident Lynne Wilburn, in a letter to Hawke's Bay Today, said parking meters may force shoppers to seek free parking outside the new supermarket site in Greenmeadows, meaning less business for shops in Taradale.

"With the two large retailers moving out of Taradale, do we need an expensive shopping precinct in White Street, particularly if it means the loss of free parking?" she asked.

The council's policy planner, James Mineham, said since the discussion document was released on September 2 meetings had been held with the Taradale Retailers' Association, and the Taradale and District Community Development Association.

He said there had also been a meeting for White Street residents and this weekend with Taradale Rotary.

"We also had an information caravan in town for a week. We have mailed out and delivered about 700 copies of the document to businesses, community groups, and individuals," Mr Mineham said.

He said there had been about 30 submissions received on the document and acknowledged parking was a common theme.

The council wanted to introduce parking meters to help pay for the funding options for the upgrade plan.

"Parking meters would pay for a percentage of the upgrade costs and remove the need for a targeted rate for people in Taradale," Mr Mineham said.

Revenue from the meters would be used to pay a $1.8 million loan for the project and the remaining $500,000 would come from general rates.

The second option involved funding from meters, targeted rate and a general rate.

Mr Mineham said submissions would close on October 2 and the council would hold a hearing to consider the submissions and decide whether the upgrade plan should be approved.

Work on the upgrade should start in 2008.

Will get council concepts for y'all when my internet speeds up again. Damn 1GB limit.

good to hear they're keeping the supermarket. Get a bigger cap!

good to hear they're keeping the supermarket. Get a bigger cap!

My dad complains enough even having broadband. Definitely couldn't get a bigger cap.

Will get council concepts for y'all when my internet speeds up again. Damn 1GB limit.

Thats why I dumped my 1GB Xtra plan for the same price with slingshot at a 5GB cap. Can then purchase data blocks at 3GB for $5 or 10GB for $10.00, as meany as you need!

PWC update~
11th october 2006
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20298.jpg

^^ Looking good man! :cheers:

Awesome, looks good!

Took a couple of shots from the hill today, look at the West Quay Apartments!
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20006.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20007.jpg

Cool shot, and yea, West Quay does stick out alot there lol. We really should allow more development around it to fit it in more.

Came across this in the Dom Post... 2006/11/03.

New Zealand's biggest wind farm has gained final approval to begin construction.

The $350 million wind farm will be built on 3000 hectares of land near Te Pohue on State Highway 5, 45 kilometres northwest of Napier.

The Environment Court approved in July the Hawke's Bay Wind Farm's plan to build a 75-turbine farm that would generate enough electricity to power 100,000 homes, with the condition that it made modifications to avoid wind turbulence with an adjoining Unison windfarm.

Hawke's Bay Wind Farm's lawyer Don Turley said those modifications had now been approved.

"The location issue of turbine separation distances and turbulence wake appropriate sites has been resolved and we now have full consent.

"It's real good news and it's been fully contested. This project went through a full district council hearing, Environment Court hearing and appeal, all done and dusted in a period of 12 months."

Mr Turley said the wind farm would have the ability to save nearly 500,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases a year.

If the Government was serious about "promoting clean green energy" there should be subsidies to help the wind farm industry become more economic, he said.

"What are the alternatives, no more rivers can be dammed and across the ditch our Australian cousins are talking about nuclear energy. That's not going to be happening here." Construction on the wind farm on the Maungaharuru Range was expected to begin by next summer.

Stage one of Unison's 42 turbine windfarm planned for the area is expected to begin by September, with stage two subject to an appeal in the Environment Court.

The Unison project is expected to cost around $180 million and generate 120 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 55,000 homes.

Yea i saw that too. Good news for clean energy production in H.B.

PWC

11/11/2006

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20086.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20087.jpg

Its gettin there..thanks for the update spotz:cheers:

Back in Napier, i went on a little bike tour of Ahuriri today, took sum pics..

This is Ahuriri Quadrant, the most recent apartment development under construction..


http://www.globeholdings.co.nz/ahuriri/images/photo_waterfrontapartments_lge.jpg
http://www.globeholdings.co.nz/ahuriri/images/photo_entrance_lge.jpg
Construction Pics..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Ahuriripics2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Ahuriripics1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Ahuriripics4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Ahuriripics5.jpg
:cheers:

^^ Hope you kept well hydrated, I saw the weather and I think it was in the high 20's!

;D

^^^ ;D

Is this some secret East Coast code :ohno: or was the sun too hot too soon :)

what's next in the pipeline todd? with mitre10, west quay and quadrant nearing completion, can we expect anything exciting to pop up?

Check it out -

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=10501138#post10501138

:)

^^ Hope you kept well hydrated, I saw the weather and I think it was in the high 20's!
Yes for sure, it was about 30 degrees, very hot!

what's next in the pipeline todd? with mitre10, west quay and quadrant nearing completion, can we expect anything exciting to pop up?
I'll find out more goss when im back working at the City Council. I know that Stage 3 of Ahuriri Quadrant was approved recently, which is next to the one in my post above, but along Pandora Rd.

couple of questions for you mister. Umm... Hukarere or however it's spelt, the maori girls school (or was it sacred heart) that they destroyed, any word on what's going there? Just housing I'd expect.

Also, small development just across the road from the Info Centre, tucked in behind the dome building? Any idea?

ALSO, any development on the hospital site? I know ages ago it was sold, you'd think they'd have the decency to tell us what's goin on!?

And a little thing, I was up Te Mata Peak today, you can see 2 Mitre 10 Megas from up there, it's sickening.

<3 toddy

^^Hehe the 20 questions lol.

The Hukarere (you got it right!) site is slated for a townhouse/terrace housing style development, ive seen some renderings lookks really nice. Architect is Gordon Moller.

Yep, its a 3 level apartment on Marine Parade

No word on whats goin at Hospital Site yet sorry man.

Yes, the Mitre 10 Mega's are huge, big ugly boxes! I'll have to get up Te Mata myself for a peek sometime.

we could do a Napier meet up there, I'll drive.

^^Sounds like a plan. Whens good for you?

during the week mostly.. any sunny day, whens good for rhys lol?

Took some shots for you tarts today:
edit...there's a fkn spot on my lens
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20597.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20598.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20599a.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20602.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20605.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20606.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20607.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20614.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20619.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20620.jpg

mmm pretty bike mmm pretty building
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20621.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20631.jpg

there'y'go

I don't know(the spot), the pictures are great.:)

^^It's Ahuriri, very Viaduct-esque

Some images from the recent 3 person Napier meet (cheers guys:cheers: )

One of the new apartment buildings u/c, looking towardthe ex-Hospital site- which is soon to be redeveloped with several new large buildings
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/DSC00246.jpg
Looking down toward part of Ahuriri and the Kaweka Ranges beyond
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/DSC00249-1.jpg
From Te mata Peak, toward Napier City inthe background
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/DSC00251.jpg

And a couple more from me
Todd
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20696.jpg
Todd and his wheels
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20697a.jpg
Hastings the gridshit.
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20699a.jpg

And a couple more from me

Todd and his wheels
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20697a.jpg


^^ So THATS what they mean by Pimp my Ride.

^^Lol, my wheels? A Hummer Limo wasn't what I had in mind haha. Note my primitive rendition of a japanese tourist's pose

Environmentalist my ass mister.

Jeez Todd, you sure went loose on the environmentalist front.

Now for some bad photos from my house.

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/5782/imgp0622md2.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/9794/imgp0624is9.jpg

Unobstructed view of Napier

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/71/imgp0625pi2.jpg

http://img348.imageshack.us/img348/2503/imgp0627dw0.jpg

Enjoy.

enjoyed

Some pics I took on the 3rd~
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20048.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20043.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20046.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20052.jpg

:banana:

Here's a quick picture of a Buick and the Entrance of Sileni Estate Winery I took on a wine tour.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5216/buickandsileniestatedq9.jpg

Went round to Otatara Pa right by my house today and took a few photos. Odd as I've lived here nearly 17 years and never noticed it yet it was 100 metres from my house.

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/8162/pineforestparkandotatarpd2.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9793/pineforestparkandotatarnm0.jpg

Maori statues that look over Napier and Hastings

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9821/pineforestparkandotatarwk0.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6030/pineforestparkandotatargu3.jpg

Out towards Hastings

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3786/pineforestparkandotatarop6.jpg

House on the top of the hill

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/2849/pineforestparkandotatarjn4.jpg

Yeah usually we take for granted or don't even notice things close by :banana:

Nice shots boys:cheers: We seem to be getting the best weather here over summer compared to most round the country.

Toddy, theres a big hole and something going on at the airport. New carpack perhaps, or something more interesting?

Yes, just carpark and passenger pick up/drop off area extensions. I'll try and get some recent ones of PWC its looking very formidable now lol.

lets have it then! They knocked down a building or 2 on the hill side of pettigrews roundabout in the last few days, any idea what the reason behind that is?

^^Yea they are constructing a new building, not sure who is going in it tho.

Took some random pics in downtown Napier today, just on my lunchbreak.
(ps; paul- i will take some of PWC tomorrow lol, they have just taken down scaffolding so all is revealed!)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Napierjan07.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/NapierJan07b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/NapierJan07c.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/NapierJan07d.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/NapierJan07f-1.jpg
:cheers:

Wow man, great, beautiful, good on ya Sony Ddigicam!

kool pics i want to see all the art deco buildings please! :)

^^I'm taking a couple more 2moro so just wait and see...:)

(ps; paul- i will take some of PWC tomorrow lol, they have just taken down scaffolding so all is revealed!)


yes i know! I walked passed today at 9ish on the way to work and it was still up, and all gone when i walked home. It's not gonna be that green is it?

Cute guy in the Garden Please .... Ha Ha just joking ....... Fab Photos , yes more art Deco :)

ohh marky :nuts: :lol:


Napier is just suntastic - lovely.

Any chance of some photos inside and out of the Cathedral - I love church buildings - it's not often you get to see an Art Deco inspired Cathedral...:banana:

:cheers:

Have we seen a Render of this ?

Hotel rises on former Pizza Hutt site :banana:

25.01.2007
DOUG LAING
A prominent Napier Marine Parade site formerly occupied by a Pizza Hut restaurant and vacant for about four years, is expected to be occupied by a new 41-unit hotel by the end of this year.

The three-level hotel, named Nautilus, is being developed by Tauranga company Garoo Ltd and built by Hawke's Bay's Mackersey Construction.

Last week builders moved onto the site on the corner of Marine Parade and Sale Street.

Mackersey project manager Ken Hemara said it was hoped to have the project, including a restaurant/bar and parking for 35 vehicles, finished before Christmas.





It will extend to Hastings Street, taking up the site now occupied by the Napier Family Centre's ABC 4 Kids childcare facility.
ABC is relocating to larger premises being built on Barker Road, Marewa.

Nautilus'design is in keeping with the Art Deco style, similar to the Pebble Beach hotel south of Sale Street. Hotel-motel projects in Napier City have put hundreds of new beds on the Marine Parade market in the past 10 years.

The Nautilus' 41 units will take to 145 the total number in the block, bounded by Marine Parade, Sale, Hastings and Edwardes streets.

The Edgewater Motor Lodge boasts 20 units, the Beachfront Motel 46 and the Shoreline Motel 38. Since the end of the 1980s, the block has been almost completely redeveloped.

The only longer-standing occupants are on three corner sites - Continental Fish Supplies, Arkwrights Corner Store on Hastings Street, and a house on the corner of Marine Parade and Edwardes Street.

:lol:

^^Yea, i've seen one, I just processed the building consent for that! lol. It looks ok, similar to the other ones along there.

There's another 4/5 level apartment bldg going up in Ahuriri, this time right next to the Bluewater Hotel. Also, there is potentially an 8 level apartment tower going up in the CBD, right on Marine Parade opposite Ocean Spa (Paul, Rhys, u already know about this).

damn right. That new hotel is about 100m from my house!

and man does PWC look cool or what?!

Renders! We're itching for renders!

yes we are toddy

Some shots of Napier's less pretty side...interesting all the same;
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/SSCpics013.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/SSCpics014.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/SSCpics016.jpg

And of PWC :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/SSCpics012.jpg

and those Alleyways are Sexy :banana:

and those Alleyways are Sexy :banana:

oh yeah!!

Another beautiful day in the wonderful Hawkes Bay :)

oh yeah!!

Another beautiful day in the wonderful Hawkes Bay :)

Beautiful :cheers:

^^Sure is, hehe.

I made this pic look like it was from the 30's lol
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/SSCpics014-1.jpg

That is really nice.........so Napier!! The only thing is, is that I bet 1930's tagging would have been WAY more glam.

That is really nice.........so Napier!! The only thing is, is that I bet 1930's tagging would have been WAY more glam.

over the Years :cheers:

i love reflective glass

Markyyyyyyyyy..........:lol:

Couple of pics.

The new interchange is well under way, the big polls you see in the picture have been done for the other side of the bridge already. Traffic was backed up at least 1km toward the city.
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20427.jpg

And a pano from my balcony, nothing flash ------>scroll
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/house1small.jpg

Nice Pics mate, interchange? COOL! Is that for the expressway?

^^Yea, its the Napier-Hastings Expressway. not much of a motorway but it does the job. The intersection above has been a problem spot for years so its good of Transit to get on and build the overbridge.

well I wouldn't exactly praise them, it only took what, 40 years and how many deaths?

^^lol tru. Well im just glad that its finally happening now.

looks like the poles for both sides and the middle of the bridge are just about complete~

Here's some pics i took recently of the Meeanee Rd overbridge U/C
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/DSC00376.jpg?t=1172886789

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/DSC00380.jpg?t=1172886925

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/DSC00382.jpg?t=1172886982

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/DSC00378.jpg?t=1172887201

And some of the recently completed Kennedy Rd overbridge..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/DSC00383.jpg?t=1172887110

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/DSC00384.jpg?t=1172887151

gees there's some steel in those columns , but i guess one wouldn't like a collapse in the next quake , like San Fran :lol:

lol, yes we are well prepared for quakes here:)

Where are those bridges and how big is this expressway and whats it like in terms of interchanges, amount of lanes, speed?

Where are those bridges and how big is this expressway and whats it like in terms of interchanges, amount of lanes, speed?

http://www.transit.govt.nz/projects/view_project.jsp?content_type=project&=edit&primary_key=156&action=edit:) :)

Two lanes each side not bad!:)

Two lanes each side not bad!:)

I ended up checking google maps and its the expressway on the bridge not the 2 lanes each way thing thats a normal 50km/h road, but it does appear there is room to allow for future 4 laning although I don't see that happening ever.

good boy todd

I ended up checking google maps and its the expressway on the bridge not the 2 lanes each way thing thats a normal 50km/h road, but it does appear there is room to allow for future 4 laning although I don't see that happening ever.

Kinda like the back road in Tauranga.

Here's an aerial shot of Havelock North, population is about 5,000 right Todd?
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1283025575048855129TjuIKT

and one of Napier Airport from above:
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1283025442048855129XQuuHV

Great shops Paul! Havlock looks a lot bigger than what I thought it would be. And as for Napier Airport - what a great location! Beautiful Day.

^^Cool aerials! Nah, Havelock is over 10,000 now- similar to Taradale.

Found this in the colliers real estate paper thing today. Looks like the durney centre is a go-ahead in Hastings. Such a shame. Also, second one is new offices across from ocean spa, doesn't look like the same site you were talking about Todd, with the 8 story one, no?

yah

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20903.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20902.jpg

Go Hastings. It would truly be out of place (character) if built in Napier.

^^Yea bloody Hastings! lol.
Nah that Marine Parade office bldg isn't the 8 story one I mentioned to you, but it's great news all the same:) That part of the CBD will really look great high density with Te Pania hotel and now this one. Thanks for posting it.

for the Napier one ....19 Marine Parade :cheers:

http://www.movingtimes.co.nz/share/property_images/9484.jpg

Which is actually been sold , Floor by Floor , instead of leased , which is becoming more popular :)
Now why Can't TGA have one of these ?:bash:
http://propertysearch.colliers.co.nz/share/property_images/9281.jpg

^^I'm sure it will turn out to be an average building in the end anyway lol.

Some pictures I took this evening after going out for dinner:
They finally fixed up the lights on the trees.
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20929.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20931.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20932.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20953.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20954.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20956.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20958.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%20959.jpg

^^Fabulous shots man:cheers: I love our city:banana:

Ya getting real good with your Photography Spotila :cheers:

Here's a few randoms I took yesterday, nothing too flash:

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201387.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201388.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201389.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201391.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201393.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201394.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201398.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201399.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201401.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201402.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201403.jpg

This ones for you Toddy
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201404.jpg

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201405.jpg

^^^ Fanny-tastic pics Spot - I appreciate them because I haven't been there, yet ! and I am making plans to be there for the Art Deco festival - it should be gr8 fun.

Thanks for all your efforts.

Nice work man...oh yes i know exactly where that second to last pic is hehe. :cheers:

Great pictures, have the council made any plans to rennovate the main strip/street??

^^not really, the Council is planing on doing up the other streets in the CBD now. Eventually the paving will be replaced though but the basic design elements and layout will remain.

Very very nice. I just love the place. The day looks beautiful. Surely Napier must be one of the most beautiful cities in NZ. Thanks Spot!:banana:

^^Yes I'd agree with you there, but then I would say that wouldn't I? lol:cheers:

Here's a couple I took this evening, PWC basically completed I suppose?
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201739.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201746.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201747.jpg

Yea it is^^
It's come up nicely I think. Now we just need more like that. Like get rid of the fugly Beaurepaires on the other side of the road lol

Very nice! bit different from the render though. :cheers:

'ere's a couple from today and yesterday:

new hotel on the parade coming along:
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201875.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201876.jpg

The expressway bridge will be done soon:
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201886.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201887.jpg

Inside the PWC lobby:
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201893.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201897.jpg

RUSHED!

Are ya ganna do a Section for Napier in the Development Thread ?:cheers:

I dunno, Todd would have to help, I'm not sure there's enough going on.

I dunno, Todd would have to help, I'm not sure there's enough going on.

Besides current developments ..Roading and Construction ...future sites , such as the old Hospital Buildings could be incorporated , also a section on Art Deco Buildings would be awesome .....even though not really a new development as such ..but truely unique to Napier :cheers:

I dunno if its worth it Marky lol. I think we should limit that to cities with pops. 100,000+

Then ofcourse there's Napier+Hastings which together have what, bout 120,000. That said, Hastings is a shithole :D

The Twin Cities would be good - well over the 100,000 mark - come on Spot & Flyin, get the Hawkes Bay up there :lol:

Hmm, I spose we could do it that way, But what Spotz said, I don't want to show off Hastings lol.

Huge hole in the side of the hill across from ocean spa now Toddy/Rhys. New 8 story building yes? Got any more info on this one for us Toddmeister? I'll get pics later.

Expressway overbridge is also fully spanned, they say it should all be open within 2-3 months. Pics tomorrow.

love P

^^Tis just this one paulo..
http://www.movingtimes.co.nz/share/property_images/9484.jpg
:cheers:

Yea I discovered that now lol. Oh well, it'll do for now. Here's some pics:
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%202026%20(Large).jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%202027%20(Large).jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%202028%20(Large).jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%202029%20(Large).jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%202030%20(Large).jpg

And the really pretty sky lastnight!
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%201967%20(Large).jpg

lol pretty sky!

That site looks too small for that building don't ya reckon?

Yah it does a bit. Will the big one be closer to the hotel?

Here's a quicktime virtual reality panorama I made for a tech assignment today, also.

http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/napierqtvr2.mov

^^Yea it will, it'll be where that restaurant was previously....thats if it actually gets final approval.

Nice virtual pano there!

with that Office Building :cheers:

Looks like there are some interesting projects there.:cheers:

Some pics of the bridge as promised:
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%202033.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%202035.jpg

Sroll----->
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/bridge.jpg

Thanks for the update spotz :cheers: Interesting motifs they've got on the bridge sides there

You lads seen this?

http://www.hbtoday.co.nz/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3736503&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%202153.jpg
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%202154.jpg

Lets hope shes all go !:cheers:

Woow. Looking forward to a covered cycling velodrome in the North Island! :)

Excellent!

Will it be in Napier or Hastings or halfway between?

^^Thats pretty cool, hope it goes ahead, the velodrome is a great idea that alone will attract heaps of athletes and events. Will complement the redevelopment of Mc Lean park.

Excellent!

Will it be in Napier or Hastings or halfway between?

it will be between but closer to hastings

Hey Todd/Rhys!, you'll never guess what they're doing with the old Mitre10 site as part of the Dickens St upgrade (yea i know you probably already know Todd shhh). More surface level carparks! YAY! just what we need... more carparks. ....

sigh.

A vintage car museum is being proposed as one use for Napier's Rothmans building.

The Dominion Post (http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dominionpost/4086051a6045.html)
2007/06/07


The building and associated warehouses have been bought by the Big Save Furniture chain for use as a distribution centre.

Napier vintage car enthusiast Geoff Mitford-Taylor is seeking city council support for his idea of a car museum, making a submission on the draft annual plan.

Mr Mitford-Taylor, who is a member of the Hawke's Bay Vintage Car Club and owns a few old Fords, said Napier should be doing more to promote vintage cars because they fitted in with its art deco heritage.

The museum could be in a warehouse next to the front building, he said. "It wouldn't need to be big perhaps just a dozen cars. But they could rotate the exhibits like the Hawke's Bay Museum does. They wouldn't need to own the cars."

Local magnate Gerhard Husheer commissioned the building in the early 1930s as the headquarters for his National Tobacco Company.

The council is working with Big Save Furniture to ensure the property is developed appropriately.

Mayor Barbara Arnott has said in the past that she is keen to see more vintage car activity in Napier.

Big Save spokeswoman Alison McKimm said it was too early to comment on possible uses for the site.

The Government will contribute $2.9 million towards the redevelopment of Napier's McLean Park, Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today.
STUFF.co.nz (http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4087069a1823.html)
2007/06/07


The redevelopment will include an upgrade of lighting and other facilities to meet minimum international cricket criteria as well as the national provincial rugby championship.

The upgrade will also include a new stand.

Miss Clark said the upgrade was important as McLean Park was the only Hawke's Bay venue able to host major cricket and rugby events.

The funding was coming out of the Significant Community Based Projects Fund.

Other grants given out from the fund so far this year include $6.5 million towards a new visitor centre at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary and $579,000 for the Rotakare Scenic Reserve Trust.

Grant lifts Napier's World Cup hopes

A $2.9 million government grant is putting Napier's McLean Park in line to host games for the 2011 rugby World Cup.

Prime Minister Helen Clark announced the grant, from the Government's Significant Community Based Projects Fund, at the park yesterday. The grant brings fundraising for the upgrade close to its target of about $8 million.

"With the new Graeme Lowe Stand, upgraded lighting and upgrades to other facilities, McLean Park is future-proofed well into the 21st century," she said.

The improvements will enable the ground to meet standards for top-level rugby and cricket.

Hawke's Bay Rugby chief executive Mike Bishop said his organisation would bid for World Cup games and minor test matches.

"We'll certainly be putting our hat in the ring," he said. "It might just be Wales v Tonga but it will be great for the region if we can host the World Cup games and teams.

"We could aim to get B and C-grade test matches, say Italy, Canada or Argentina."

McLean Park would remain the headquarters for the Hawke's Bay Magpies provincial team, and the union would continue hosting a few Super 14 matches, Mr Bishop said.

The chairman of the fundraising committee, Ross Bramwell, said the way was clear to go ahead and build the Graeme Lowe Stand, to replace the old McKenzie Stand.

"The park will then have a capacity of 21,000, including 10,800 seats in covered stands," he said.

There would be room for 8000 on the embankment, plus 32 corporate boxes, four lounges, 130 wheelchair seats and provision for an extra 2000 temporary seats when required.

"This is fantastic, just fantastic - you've made my day," Mr Bramwell told Miss Clark. However, fundraising would continue till the full amount was raised, he said.

Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott thanked Miss Clark and other donors, including Rodney Green and Hawke's Bay businessman Graeme Lowe.

McLean Park commemorates pioneer Donald McLean, and is built on four hectares (10 acres) given to the city in 1905 by his son Douglas.

^^Great news!

Transit New Zealand

Napier Regional Office

Media Release

13 June 2007


Wheels in motion for Breakwater Cycleway

Napier cyclists will soon enjoy safer and easier travel from Marine Parade to Ahuriri, with the construction of the Breakwater Cycleway beginning next week.

The $600,000 project is a joint venture between Transit and the Napier City Council in association with the Port of Napier and the Rotary Centennial Pathways Trust. The project is an integral part of Napier City Council's 'Bike It' cycling strategy.

“This is a great link making the Marine Parade pathway more accessible and creating a secure network from the City,” says Mayor of Napier, Barbara Arnott.

Transit regional manager, Hilton Netterville says the 1.4km cycleway will create a safer passage for cyclists through a popular recreational area with high traffic numbers.

“It's one of six cycling projects we have underway or planned for state highways in the Hawke's Bay region. Hawke's Bay is really leading the country in promoting healthy and sustainable forms of transport and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.”

Mr Netterville said Transit was grateful for the cooperation and assistance of the Napier City Council, Port of Napier, the Rotary Centennial Pathways Trust, and the local community in progressing this project.

Barbara Arnott and Transit New Zealand joined local iwi and community representatives today to formally mark the start of construction.

Tuck Contractors Ltd will begin construction next week and the project is due for completion eight weeks later. Pedestrian access will be restricted for the duration of the works, and pedestrians are asked for their patience and care during this time.

This project will be followed by the Bayview Cycleway, a Transit project which will complement the existing and proposed walking and cycling paths linking Napier and Bayview.:cheers:

^^Not quite marky, lol. But good to hear none the less. I'm just trying to work out where it is exactly..

yea i'm a little confused about location also

any news on anything for us toddybot?

lol nah i dont, I haven't been back to Napier since Easter. Heading back there shortly so i'll scope it out and see :cheers:

This goes back a way.. the farm got shot down didn't it Todd? Bloody stupid really. Are there any plans to keep it going?

Came across this in the Dom Post... 2006/11/03.

New Zealand's biggest wind farm has gained final approval to begin construction.

The $350 million wind farm will be built on 3000 hectares of land near Te Pohue on State Highway 5, 45 kilometres northwest of Napier.

The Environment Court approved in July the Hawke's Bay Wind Farm's plan to build a 75-turbine farm that would generate enough electricity to power 100,000 homes, with the condition that it made modifications to avoid wind turbulence with an adjoining Unison windfarm.

Hawke's Bay Wind Farm's lawyer Don Turley said those modifications had now been approved.

"The location issue of turbine separation distances and turbulence wake appropriate sites has been resolved and we now have full consent.

"It's real good news and it's been fully contested. This project went through a full district council hearing, Environment Court hearing and appeal, all done and dusted in a period of 12 months."

Mr Turley said the wind farm would have the ability to save nearly 500,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases a year.

If the Government was serious about "promoting clean green energy" there should be subsidies to help the wind farm industry become more economic, he said.

"What are the alternatives, no more rivers can be dammed and across the ditch our Australian cousins are talking about nuclear energy. That's not going to be happening here." Construction on the wind farm on the Maungaharuru Range was expected to begin by next summer.

Stage one of Unison's 42 turbine windfarm planned for the area is expected to begin by September, with stage two subject to an appeal in the Environment Court.

The Unison project is expected to cost around $180 million and generate 120 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 55,000 homes.

^^ Spot, there are in fact 3 winfarm projects in the Hawkes Bay area.

New Zealand Wind Energy Status (http://www.windenergy.org.nz/FAQ/proj_dom.htm#underconstruction)

Te Waka Unison/Roaring 40s 111MW
CONSENTED but appealed to High Court as original consent was over turned by the Environment Court.

Hawkes Bay Wind Farm (http://www.hawkesbaywindfarm.net.nz/) >225 MW
CONSENTED (after appeal)

Titiokura Unison/Roaring 40s >48MW
CONSENTED (after appeal)

well blow me down, isn't it about time I start seeing some turbines around here then?

Just been in Napier over the last few days, got sum piccies hehe
Mostly developments over by Ahuriri/West Quay waterfront>>

Old No5 Woolstore being converted to apartments and offices on West Quay;
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Image002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Image086.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Image085.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Image004.jpg

New apartments, just around the corner from above building, right on the waterfront;
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Image083.jpg

Marine Parade 4 level offices in cliffside:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Image079.jpg

Not much happening in the CBD at the mo' tho. Altho Spotz, ya know the old Mitre 10 bldg opp. Clive Sq, that's being sold by Council to a developer who is proposing a new 3/4 level office retail building, so that'll be one to look out for. Also, the Museum on Herschell St is gonna be getting a major, and I mean Major redevelopment happening very soon. Rumour has it that Noel Lane is one of the Co-Architects on that one (he did the lobby of the Vero Building and the new Grand Atrium in the Auckland Museum! So fingers crossed for something really great). Over and out :cool:
:cheers:

Good update Toddy ...that Museum development sounds promising :banana:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Flyin_higher/Image002.jpg

cheers for the pics toddy, thought it was about time we had some new ones.

Very exciting news about the museum, any idea when "very soon" is?

I thought they were turning old mitre10 into carparks, pretty happy that there'll be another hopefully modern looking building there.

oh, and do you have any more info on the sports park on Percival road yet? Word is they'll be releasing a final plan or some such in August.

Yea only a small part of the Mitre 10 has been used for extending the carpark on Dickens St, the rest is set aside for a new development.

Nah haven't heard anything about the sports centre.

things are pretty slow here don't ya think? Haven't heard anything on the windfarms or the sports park or museum or anything!

*stomps feet*

a wee pic of the airport I found, there's a bit more there now though

http://www.napier.govt.nz/images/inapier/air_aerial.jpg

a wee pic of the airport I found, there's a bit more there now though

http://www.napier.govt.nz/images/inapier/air_aerial.jpg

Love it. Now thats what I call real cute!!

Nice to see an updated one. Does Hastings have an airport, or is all of Hawkes Bays air traffic put through Napier??

there's a small airdrome south of hastings, but no, all national air traffic goes through Napier

Looks like a similar design/layout to Whangarei Airport, maybe just a bit bigger.
They must have built a standard type of domestic airport in Provincial towns all over NZ during the 50's/60's.

Is Napier Airport tidy and new looking from the ground.

yea it recieved quite an upgrade over the last 10 years I so I think, it looks very modern

Ya know alot of People would be real keen to see a Thread created on Napier's Art Deco Buildings .......Hint Hint :lol:

What is the combined population of Napier and Hastings, I assume they would be classed as a major centre when both populations are combined.:)

I think Napier City is around 50,000. According to Wikipedia, Hastings urban has a population of around 61,000, while the district is above 70,000. Not sure if Hastings urban includes Flaxmere & Havelock North or not (I suspect so).

Combined population of around 119,600 with Napier....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hastings%2C_New_Zealand
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napier%2C_New_Zealand

Yea Hastings includes flax and havlock, the total napier-hastings area is about 125-130,000

getting ready for invasion in Napier
(from flikr)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/60/378232989_d44937bbba_o.jpg

I think Napier City is around 50,000. According to Wikipedia, Hastings urban has a population of around 61,000, while the district is above 70,000. Not sure if Hastings urban includes Flaxmere & Havelock North or not (I suspect so).

Combined population of around 119,600 with Napier....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hastings%2C_New_Zealand
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napier%2C_New_Zealand
In 2006 census Napier City had a population of approx. 55,000, while the Hastings urban area is about 65,000.

From SCOOP (http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0710/S00246.htm):


Meeanee Overbridge opens to northbound traffic

Transit New Zealand will open the new SH50 Meeanee Overbridge to northbound traffic on Tuesday 23 October.

Project manager Mike Wong says motorists travelling north towards Napier on the SH50 Hawke's Bay Expressway should use the overbridge instead of travelling through the existing intersection at Meeanee Road. Expressway traffic heading to Taradale or Meeanee should exit at the new southern offramp and turn left or right at the new roundabout at Meeanee Road.

The Meeanee Overbridge has been built as part of the Meeanee Road Interchange Upgrade, which is scheduled for completion in December following two years of construction. Mr Wong says the project will improve safety and reduce congestion by separating SH50 Hawke's Bay Expressway traffic from local traffic using Meeanee Road.

The bridge will be fully opened to both northbound and southbound traffic in early November.
Transit thanks motorists for their patience as they get used to the new road layout.

From SCOOP (http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0710/S00246.htm)::cheers:

^^Good news there :)

went over it lastnight ^_^
will get some pics when its fully opened

I'm not back in Napier till Christmas :O But should be able to get a fair few update pics of various projects going on.

From what I remember;
-Meeanee Expressway Interchange
-Shed 5 redevelopment (Offices and Apartments), Ahuriri
-Humber St apartments
-4 level office building on Marine Parade, opp. Ocean Spa

Any other big projects spotz?

theres a new motel up across from that millenium monument thing, where the old pizza hutt used to be. Ummm the dickens street upgrade is nearing completion.

What else.. Greenmeadows supermarket is starting now... I dunno Toddy theres' not that much going on. Get back here and approve some things mister. Like some new dolphins.

I'll take a picture of the picture in the newspaper later but omg~ it's beautiful

Hint of shell shock at plans



Concept plans for Hawke's Bay's new museum complex is already drawing comparisons but don't mention Art Deco - it's much more armadillo.

The planned $14 million redevelopment of the museum and art gallery took a step towards reality last night at Napier's Century Theatre, with Auckland architect Noel Lane presenting the planning team's vision.

A new glass building is proposed for the central Napier site, with a high shell-shaped curved roof and transparent exterior panels providing view shafts through the museum and giving glimpses of exhibitions.

The former Napier City Council building on the corner of Marine Parade and Tennyson Street is marked for removal in the plans, but restoration awaits the Louis Hay-designed Art Deco building on Herschell Street.



The Century Theatre itself also stays, its height accommodated in the arched roof.

The new building will bring increased gallery space, equivalent to the former exhibition space in Hastings combined with what's already on site in Napier, museum director Douglas Lloyd Jenkins said.

Most of the exhibition area will be spread over three floors inside the glass building, with room for a café and outdoor seating and a large public atrium flooded with natural light.

The museum's renowned collection of Maori taonga would finally get a chance "to breathe" Mr Lane said, with permanent displays suspended above museum-goers in glass cases.

The main entrance to the building would be from Tennyson Street but the Herschell Street frontages would also get a spruce-up, the Art Deco building restored "hopefully" to the original plans and archives housed within.

While most who attended the Hawke's Bay Cultural Trust meeting last night were impressed with what they saw, some felt the modern design wasn't in keeping with Napier's Art Deco heritage.

"We are not producing a building in the Art Deco aesthetic," Mr Lane said, referring to examples of mock Art Deco disasters built in the '80s.

There is no confirmed price tag yet for the project - but Mr Lane said the design team was working to get one as soon as possible.

Napier Mayor and Cultural Trust chair Barbara Arnott said both the Napier and Hastings councils were struggling with funding but Mr Lane said he was aiming for central government funding rounds in February.

Sounds creative :cheers:

Also the new expressway overbridge had its official opening yesterday :cheers:

edit: correction sorry, it officially opens tomorrow (thursday). Tuesday and Thursday sound the same I swear

Yay! Have been waiting to hear more about the museum redevelopment. Will be so good for the inner city. Can't wait to see ur pic spotz :)

Love this editorial in the HB Today..a very considered piece


EDITORIAL - Armadillo? Vive la difference!

31.10.2007
LOUIS PIERARD
The concept plans for the Hawke's Bay museum complex in Napier have created an interesting conundrum. For a city that today basks in the wonder of its rediscovered Art Deco legacy, a $14 million building resembling a large armadillo was always going to be a bit of a challenge.

But before censorious fingers start jabbing at it for being an offence against Art Deco, it is important to note that Deco was once brave, exciting and new, too.

Architects like Louis Hay did not lovingly recreate the past. They struck out in a progressive mode as they helped rebuild the city after the disastrous quake of 1931.

Though some then would have found it brash and out of keeping with the buildings the quake spared, Deco was admired in the thirties and forties for being hugely contemporary. Thirty years on, only a small handful of enthusiasts recognised those same buildings were actually worth protecting from the wrecking ball of modernity. Napier owes those few, whose persistence convinced the rest, an enormous debt. The security of the region's Deco treasure is now assured.
Nevertheless, there is no more reason today than there was 70 years ago to insist that the style of the city's architecture remain trapped in amber. Napier is not a museum.

It is essential that the structure housing Hawke's Bay's collection of valuable antiquities and art is a building that is valued for its looks. Though it might resemble an armadillo (and will no doubt disappoint anyone expecting to see revisited Deco motifs) the proposed "shell" has a pleasingly organic shape capable not only of being compatible with, but also enhancing, its neighbours.

Deco-alikes would always be pale imitations, nothing more. The key is to recognise that styles and tastes evolve and must find their expression. They need to live side-by-side with Art Deco to give context to both. Hastings' magnificent Hawke's Bay Opera House complex is a case in point. Rather than slavishly copying the original style of the opera house itself, the modern foyer and plaza (at present being topped off with a retractable roof) are an acknowledgment that the future cannot be forsaken for the past.

Yep I saw that in the paper. It was on the same page as the letters to the editor, and ofcourse some nutcase named Helen had been quick to voice her disgust at the design saying it isn't art deco and it will look out of place blah blah blah. Anyway you'll love it. I'll see if I can upload the pics now.

edit: OK here she is boys. It's a bit poor quality but you get the idea!
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%2027122.jpg

and a complimentary Napier sunset to seal the deal :cheers:
http://spotyo.orcon.net.nz/Napier/Picture%2027118.jpg

Cool thanks for that spotz :cheers: Looks pretty good me thinks.

I love it

Turtle-shell design gets thumbs up

The radical turtle-shell design for Napier's proposed new museum is gaining support from architects - but some warn it could cost more than $14 million.

"It's exciting, it gets my tick," the president of the Gisborne-Hawke's Bay branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, Pierre du Toit, said.

"It's certainly different - but civic buildings should be something different. You don't get this sort of chance very often."

The concept for the new building, presented on Monday night, has a soaring curved roof in the shape of a turtle shell.

The roof will be translucent and much of the walls will be covered in glass.

"I like the idea that it's transparent," Mr du Toit said. "It would glow at night with a little interior lighting - it would be quite spectacular."

The new museum on Marine Pde is near Napier's art deco quarter, but Mr du Toit said architect Noel Lane was quite right to avoid any attempt to give it art deco features. No one wanted a fake art deco building, he said.

Mr Lane, who is based in Auckland, designed the museum in collaboration with Richard Daniels from Opus International's Napier office.

The architects will prepare detailed costings and Napier City Council will approach the Government, asking for several million dollars from the regional museums fund.

The council has been budgeting for $14 million for the new building but Mr du Toit expected it would cost more than that.

To construct the building it will be necessary to demolish or remove the old borough council building which stands at the Tennyson St end of the site.

This building had no particular merit, Mr du Toit said. "I'm all for restoration of buildings, but not keeping buildings just for buildings' sake."

The old building has a category 2 listing with the Historic Places Trust but has no protection under the city council's district plan.

this design will fit in well .....I like it !:cheers::banana:

Excellent :)

From the Dom (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4271374a6045.html):

Museum project may cost $27m
BERNARD, CARPINTER - The Dominion Post | Tuesday, 13 November 2007

A proposed new museum building for Napier could end up costing up to $27 million, city council sources say.

A figure of $14 million had been mentioned for the proposed extension to the existing Hawke's Bay Museum and Art Gallery, but that is believed to account for only the first of two stages.

The council has not yet made any cost estimates public but yesterday one source said $24 million and another said $27 million.

Council debate over the building design and its cost will start – behind closed doors, initially – within the next fortnight.

Some councillors are already expressing concerns about the cost of the extension to the building in Marine Pde. A $20 million loan would add about $2 million a year to the city's rates bill.

Some question whether the proposed project, designed mainly by Auckland architect Noel Lane, would give enough extra exhibition space to justify the high cost.

There are suggestions that it would be better to start anew, perhaps further along Marine Pde or on the site of Marineland when that closes.

Why can't they just get on with it ! ....Gees they will spend a couple of Years fighting over it and then by the time it starts ....the bill will be $ 35 m :ohno: I hope this isn't the path taken :bash::banana:


From the Dom (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4271374a6045.html):

Museum project may cost $27m
BERNARD, CARPINTER - The Dominion Post | Tuesday, 13 November 2007

A proposed new museum building for Napier could end up costing up to $27 million, city council sources say.

A figure of $14 million had been mentioned for the proposed extension to the existing Hawke's Bay Museum and Art Gallery, but that is believed to account for only the first of two stages.

The council has not yet made any cost estimates public but yesterday one source said $24 million and another said $27 million.

Council debate over the building design and its cost will start – behind closed doors, initially – within the next fortnight.

Some councillors are already expressing concerns about the cost of the extension to the building in Marine Pde. A $20 million loan would add about $2 million a year to the city's rates bill.

Some question whether the proposed project, designed mainly by Auckland architect Noel Lane, would give enough extra exhibition space to justify the high cost.

There are suggestions that it would be better to start anew, perhaps further along Marine Pde or on the site of Marineland when that closes.

It's typical with all construction though isn't it? They always seem to go over budget by at least $10m on major projects these days.

The worst example I can think of for budget blow out is the Gautrain in South Africa though:

2002 R3.5 - 4 billion initial cost estimate
2003 R7 billion revised cost estimates
2005 R20 billion revised cost estimate

That's quite some inflation there! ;)

Hmm, yea i hope the funding issue doesn't stop the project all together. Surely central govt. would provide significant funding toward the overall costs.

I sincerely hope so as that is a fantastic looking museum! I absolutely love the design if it turns out anything like the renders!

From the Dom (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4273161a6045.html):

Council to debate $27m museum cost
BERNARD CARPINTER - The Dominion Post | Thursday, 15 November 2007

The high cost of Napier's proposed new museum - believed to be up to $27 million - is expected to be hotly debated when city councillors discuss it for the first time today behind closed doors.

The council has not yet told the public the full estimated cost of the building, which will join the existing Hawke's Bay Museum and Art Gallery in Marine Pde.

However, council sources told The Dominion Post that the figure was about $27 million - almost double the $14 million initially stated.

No funding has been secured and the project depends on the council getting substantial funding from central government.

Some councillors are already expressing private concerns about the high cost of construction and the impact this would have on rates. Operating costs would also rise.

It is also not certain whether the building would have enough extra exhibition space to justify the cost.

Auckland architect Noel Lane has put forward an unusual proposal for the new building, featuring glassy sides and a translucent roof in the shape of a turtle shell. Reaction has been mixed, though generally more positive than negative.

The prominent central-city site is said to be hard to work on and there are suggestions that it would be better to build from scratch elsewhere. The old British American Tobacco site in Ahuriri has been mentioned.

Councillors were given a presentation on the building before the October local body elections. Today is their first opportunity to discuss the merits and costs of the proposal. The meeting takes the form of a seminar, however, and will be behind closed doors.

This would be good for Napier as it needs some more attractions now that Sea World is on its last legs.

TOP STORY: Museum's shell roof likely to go


29.11.2007
By REBECCA STEVENSON
PLANS for the redevelopment of the Hawke's Bay Museum and Art Gallery have been scaled back with the contentious curved roof likely to be dumped.

Council sources told Hawke's Bay Today the latest drawings were more modest and affordable, and a flatter roof-structure was now planned.

The concept drawings had drawn criticism from the public with descriptions including "armadillo" or "turtle-like", thanks to the shell-shaped roof.

Auckland architect Noel Lane presented the concept plans at a public meeting last month.

At the time Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott stressed the design was an initial plan and it was unusual to involve the public at such an early stage.




The plans showed a three-storey glass building encompassing a Louis Hay-designed Art Deco building already on the site, along with the Century Theatre.
The building was mostly transparent, with view shafts through to Marine Parade and the main entrance on Tennyson St.

The old Napier City Council building on the corner of Tennyson Street and Marine Parade was slated for demolition. The modern look of the proposed museum irked some Napier residents who felt the city's Art Deco heritage should be reflected in the design.

Others criticised a new building going into the Art Deco quarter at all.

But the latest plans before the council see the museum's roof flattened out and the glass panelling replaced with a more traditional structure, broken up with glass louvres.

There will still be a glass entrance but the outer walls will not all be transparent exterior panels.

The building has also lost a storey, down to two, but the plan is to retain the additional floor space.

A council insider said the new plans were more affordable and "quite nice".

"It's more in vogue with the area and we retain the facilities like the archive space."

^^ Pfft, change something groundbreaking to mediocre. It's New Zealand all over - mediocre.

^^ Pfft, change something groundbreaking to mediocre. It's New Zealand all over - mediocre.


The towns, people and society, and what has been achieved in the country over 200 years is certainly mediocre but the country itself is pretty special in my opinion.

I don't mind yout tearing strips off the way New Zealand is run, or it's history but I can't sit by and have you dissing my land, capeesh?

Since this was a reflection on the way New Zealand is run I think my comment was rather clearly directed towards developments in New Zealand.

I have often said throughout these threads that I think the land is beautiful, just a pity about the places.

Fair enough.
I concur.

fkn hell, thats poos. That design was awesome.

fkn hell, thats poos. That design was awesome.

Why all these Years later they cry over a few Mill and strip the city of a Modern asset for all to enjoy :ohno: I wonder if the Tauranga winges helped :bash:

I wish they'd stop calling it "Hawkes Bay Airport": Its Napier Airport (destination code NPE gives it away). Hawkes Bay Airport could be anywhere from Waipuk to Wairoa. Another one of those stupid Hawkes Bay compromises...

Anyway:

Bay plans $5 charge for runway extension
KATHY WEBB - The Dominion Post (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4328831a6045.html) | Wednesday, 19 December 2007

Passengers are likely to be charged $5 each time they fly out of Hawke's Bay Airport from next year, to help pay for an extension to the runway.

The 1310-metre runway was built in 1963 for use by Fokker Friendship aircraft, and cannot be used by jets.

Hastings District Council has approved in principle a proposal to introduce the $5 levy to help fund a 590m extension, estimated to cost between $7.2 million and $8.2 million, and a $1 million aircraft holding zone.

With a 1900m runway, the airport would be able to handle domestic and trans-Tasman jets, though there would be more cost in setting up services and buildings for international flights.

Slightly longer-term plans for the airport are to include an industrial park, a two-level car park, and a new main entrance off State Highway 2 to Watchman Rd.

Airport authority chairman Stuart McKinlay said Air New Zealand had already indicated interest in establishing an aircraft servicing centre at Napier.

Hawke's Bay ratepayers would not be asked to put up any cash for the development, he said. About $4 million of the project cost would be borrowed, and the $5 levy would cover the rest.

Mayor Lawrence Yule said the only thing holding up a start to the runway extension was the Government's signature on a deal to corporatise the airport management.

The Government owns 50 per cent of the airport business and buildings, and Napier and Hastings own the other 50 per cent, plus the airport land.

Mr Yule said the Government had reluctantly agreed to allow Hawke's Bay to corporatise only after intense pressure from within the region.

He and Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott would join Treaty claimants, who stand to be given the Government's share of the airport business, at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen today.

They want to know what is delaying the final stages of corporatisation, which was expected to be completed by now.

If the deal were signed by late January or early February, work on the runway extension could begin by mid year, Mr Yule said.

The airport development and levy proposal will now go to Napier City Council for consideration.

agree with the naming. NPE I mean come on. Anyway, sounds good as long as it's a decent step toward getting international flights to the bay. I always found it weird Palmy and Dunedin had international flights yet HB had a higher population base and higher tourist numbers.

agree with the naming. NPE I mean come on. Anyway, sounds good as long as it's a decent step toward getting international flights to the bay. I always found it weird Palmy and Dunedin had international flights yet HB had a higher population base and higher tourist numbers.

Mmmmmm - I am not going to debate numbers, because I don't really know. But I would have thought Manawatu's population base would have been higher than the Bay's.

According to Ozjet (the Australian firm who will be replacing trans-tasman flights from Palmy following Freedom Air's departure) the decision to start up in Palmy was because the airport has a "catchment area" (whatever that is) of 750,000 North island residents.

^^ I suspect that 750,000 catchment is the lower North Island excluding Wellington (ie including Napier, Hastings, New Plymouth & Kapiti Coast etc as well as areas actually close to Palmy).

^^ I suspect that 750,000 catchment is the lower North Island excluding Wellington (ie including Napier, Hastings, New Plymouth & Kapiti Coast etc as well as areas actually close to Palmy).

Yeah - that came to me a few seconds after I posted that message - ha.

Napier suburb to get $50m Boathaus
The Dominion Post (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4330041a6045.html) | Thursday, 20 December 2007

Napier's increasingly trendy suburb of Ahuriri will get another boost with a $50 million development to be called Boathaus.

On the corner of West Quay and Customs Quay, the four-storey development will include apartments, offices and cafes. Fronting on to two arms of the inner-harbour, it will replace the NJ Price Engineering workshops.

The developer, Wellington company Merge Projects, said it had had positive discussions with Napier City Council and the council's urban design panel which were "essentially happy with the overall design, scale and mixed-use nature of the development".

Merge expected to receive a resource consent by February, start construction mid-2008 and complete the project by late 2009. The new building - by Wellington's Archaus Architects - will have apartments on the top, offices in the middle and retail shops on the ground floor, with basement parking.

Napier suburb to get $50m Boathaus
The Dominion Post (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4330041a6045.html) | Thursday, 20 December 2007

Napier's increasingly trendy suburb of Ahuriri will get another boost with a $50 million development to be called Boathaus.

On the corner of West Quay and Customs Quay, the four-storey development will include apartments, offices and cafes. Fronting on to two arms of the inner-harbour, it will replace the NJ Price Engineering workshops.

The developer, Wellington company Merge Projects, said it had had positive discussions with Napier City Council and the council's urban design panel which were "essentially happy with the overall design, scale and mixed-use nature of the development".

Merge expected to receive a resource consent by February, start construction mid-2008 and complete the project by late 2009. The new building - by Wellington's Archaus Architects - will have apartments on the top, offices in the middle and retail shops on the ground floor, with basement parking.:banana:

excellent!

Sweeet:)

And yay :D im off to Napier on the 24th...i promise pics ;)

hey toddy i'm off to napier on the 24th too! for bout 4 days

^^Coolness :) I just wish i had a decent camera to take piccys with. Maybe santa will be kind this year :D

Anyhoo..here's the local rag's take on that new Ahuriri development...
$50m plan for Ahuriri


Hawke's Bay Today | 20.12.2007

By ROGER MORONEY
The transformation of the West Quay waterfront at Ahuriri is set to take a further step with plans unveiled today for a $50 million commercial, residential and restaurant development.

The development, which will bear the name "Boathaus", is being planned by Wellington-based company Merge Projects Ltd and will go up on the West Quay/Customhouse Quay corner formerly occupied by NJ Price Engineering.

Plans are for 21 high-end apartments, bars, cafes, a delicatessen, a wine lounge and approximately 3000sq m of commercial space.

Merge Projects development manager Martin Price said he anticipated the development would attract strong interest from the commercial and retail sector.

He added that the development would be the first in the Ahuriri district where all the titles would be freehold ownership.
"The commercial and retail opportunities will appeal to a wide network of businesses looking to own some prime real estate as it removes any exposure to ground rents and rent reviews," Mr Price said.

The building will be among the highest on the West Quay frontage, rising to four levels with retail on the ground floor, commercial on the middle levels and residential on the fourth level.

Mr Price said the company had had what it described as "positive" discussions with the Napier City Council and the Urban Design Panel, and said both parties were "essentially happy with the overall design, scale and mixed use nature of the development".

A similar development, Shed 5 in the former Williams and Kettle building 100 metres along the quay, is already under way.

The "Boathaus" project is expected to receive resource consent by February next year with construction scheduled to start mid-year, with a completion date of late 2009.

Mr Price said the company had worked closely with the council to ensure certain aspects of the original building were retained and that the development suited the Ahuriri precinct.

good on ya roger