Anyone got details about the heights of buildings planned for the Albany City (http://www.albanycity.co.nz) complex? Hopefully it doesn't turn into another Bush/Rosedale Rd affair with endless 2 storey office blocks.

Give us some scrapers! :)

This is one of the proposals - hold thumbs that it is approved -

http://i.pbase.com/o4/07/617107/1/55144182.Albanytower.jpg

http://i.pbase.com/o4/07/617107/1/55144185.Albanytower2.jpg

As you know - there is also the huge Westfield Shopping Centre (currently under construction) - I can't find any renderings - damn !

Wow that's much more impressive than I was expecting! Fingers crossed it comes to fruition.

Where are you finding this information??

a large apartment complex ! How big and how tall we are yet to find out , but at least Plans are being drawn up ! :cheers:

Building blocks for the little guy
23 April 2006

A new venture will give investors with only small amounts of cash a slice of the property development action. By Greg Ninness.


St Laurence Group has started an investment company which will enable investors with small sums of cash to get involved in property developments.

Called the St Laurence Property Development Fund Ltd, it will offer staple investments in lots of $5000.

For every $5000 invested, investors will receive 500 shares at $1 each in the company and a $4500 secured, interest-bearing bond. The bond is projected to pay annual interest of 15% for an initial term of five years, giving an overall return of 13.5% for each $5000 parcel.

The company does not expect to pay dividends on the shares, but investors may receive a capital gain on them at the end of the term, when all the assets will be sold and the company wound up.

The company will invest in a range of property developments as a funder and equity partner, most likely taking a 50% stake in each project. This means that as each development is completed and sold, the company will receive interest on the development finance it provided plus a share of the development profits.

The downside is that as a shareholder, it will also be more heavily exposed to the risks of each development.

AdvertisementAdvertisementThe prospectus allows the company to undertake most types of property development in New Zealand and Australia. But it is likely much of the investment will be in the $3.5 billion Albany City project on Auckland's North Shore.

St Laurence is already heavily involved in the plan to build a large number of offices, shops and apartments on a 50ha site next to land where Westfield is developing what will be New Zealand's largest shopping mall.

In a complicated ownership structure, the freehold title to the Albany City site is owned by North Shore developer Rick Martin's Cornerstone Group.

St Laurence has joined forces with Symphony Projects, a company majority-owned by developer Colin Reynolds, to form Albany City Holdings Ltd, which has a perpetual leasehold interest over the entire site. This company, in which St Laurence has a 35% stake, acts as master developer for the project, on-selling individual sites to third party developers.

This puts St Laurence in the box seat to provide development finance for various projects within the development.

St Laurence managing director and majority shareholder Kevin Podmore said he had one project at Albany in his sights as an investment for Property Development Fund Ltd.

The was an apartment development called The Foundry being planned by developer Chris Minty.

Minty is a former managing director of Symphony Group - a separate company to Symphony Projects, but one in which Reynolds is a minority shareholder.

Podmore said The Foundry would suit the new company's investment criteria because it would be built in three stages, each stage taking about 18 months to complete construction and sell the individual apartments.

But Minty's plans weren't quite at the stage where the company was able to commit to it, Podmore said.

"We'd look to get involved once there's reasonable certainty in terms of consents being in place and those sorts of things," he said.

St Laurence is looking to sell 2000 investment parcels of $5000 each, with the ability to accept the same amount in oversubscriptions. This would give the new company $9m from the bonds and $1m in share capital, or up to double those amounts if fully oversubscribed.

Additionally, St Laurence Holdings will buy one share in the new company for each one issued to outside investors, giving it a 50% stake and doubling the company's equity.

All up, this could give St Laurence Property Development Fund Ltd up to $22m, enough to get involved in some substantial developments.

The main risk of this investment is that the money will be used purely to finance property development, which is an inherently risky activity, something Podmore acknowledged.

"It's seen as being most suitable for investors who have a reasonable tolerance for investment risk and who seek the opportunity for a higher return," he said.

"Or for investors who want to enter the property development market but are not able to fund such activities themselves."



:)

Any more juicy info on this development?? Their website is pathetic :gaah:

https://app.e2ma.net/userdata/5651/images/large/scaled_e1146540462.gif

Albany City

The Albany City project has advanced significantly with the sale of over 10 hectares to third parties, including 2 hectares to a residential developer, 3.3 hectares to an owner occupier, and 16 commercial sections to a development company. A further 4.8 hectares of land is already under contract to a third party. The remaining land will be developed by Symphony Projects Limited or sold on for development by third parties.

A resource consent application was lodged for 794 residential apartments in early 2006, to be built in 3 stages over a number of years. As one of the first developments, it will provide a benchmark for Albany City in terms of both quality and scale. This property is now for sale and can be purchased subject to resource consent.

The future development of the site is coordinated by the creation of a Masterplan and Design Guidelines. The Masterplan is an illustrative example of how the North Shore City District Plan can be interpreted, and the Design Guidelines provide a non-prescriptive framework that encourages creative urban design solutions to individual sites. This framework will provide an additional resource to developers, to ensure that the overall site is developed in a comprehensive manner. A Design Control Committee is in place to manage the review process and update the Masterplan and Design Guidelines as required.

The Albany Bus Rapid Transit Park and Ride Station was completed and opened in November 2005. It currently provides 350 public carparking spaces and has the provision for up to 1,200 spaces to be provided. It is already operating at capacity, highlighting the connectivity between Albany City and the Auckland CBD. Westfield has commenced the earthworks for Stage One of their shopping centre which comprises approximately 70,000m2, due to be open by the end of 2007.

At completion Albany City will be home to over 6,000 residents, and provide a work place for over 15,000 people.

:eek2:

Cool good stuff. Now Takapuna has some real skyscraper competition lol. The war for the Shore begins.

Looks interesting.The northern section looks like it's based on a european model.

north harbour stadium looks tiny in comparasion to what is planned

Who's ya daddy!!!!?
That's just wicked.
Love the line of scrapers along the motorway

Anyone reckon buying a house in Albany would be a good idea? Looks like that's the suburb of the future.

I would never buy a house in Albany.

Some pics I took today on my cell of the Albany BRT station.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0450.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0451.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0452.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0453.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0455.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0456.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0457.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0458.jpg

I would never buy a house in Albany.

Why?

Cool shots !

Thanks Kane.
At last a good close up view of a busway P&R facility.

Anyone reckon buying a house in Albany would be a good idea? Looks like that's the suburb of the future.

Yeah I don't think you could go wrong...property is one of the few things which in the long term it will always appreciate.

I work in Albany and sometimes have to go into Auckland CBD to install software at clients. Driving in even at 9.30am can be crap and parking !@#%^!$!

Taking the express bus is sweet and comfortable. Haven't yet had real problems with parking but definately noticed the growing demand. When the stations first opened I took the kids for a trip into the CBD and yes it was a lot quieter initially.

Constellation station is very similar but will be northern most "online" station. Less parking but way better facillities. Big new (5-7 floors) Police Station just outside on Parkway Drive. There's shopping over on Constellation drive - though I admitt these stores are targetted more at the lads - hardware, home suppliers, electronics. Theres Pass-N-Punt and Burger King at the corner of Constellation and Parkway.

So yes some could take a train from Glen Eden to Britomart and then an Express Bus to Constellation to get something from Bunnings if you needed.

Construction is underway with the new Westfield Albany. Took some pics of the site this afternoon.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/cjmhall/NZ/000_02521.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/cjmhall/NZ/000_02531.jpg

Amazing to think in a few years this area will be a thriving centre of business:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/cjmhall/NZ/000_02491.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/cjmhall/NZ/000_02481.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/cjmhall/NZ/000_02471.jpg

Judging by the new streetlights, the symbol of Albany has become the rooster, as anyone who drove through Albany up to a couple of years ago can relate to. Sadly, it seems the higher volumes of traffic in recent times has wiped out the local wild rooster population that used to stroll casually across the road. Good to see the council and local businesses keeping the spirit alive!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/cjmhall/NZ/000_02561.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/cjmhall/NZ/000_02551.jpg

I literally haven't been through Albany village since the new motorway extension opened. It looks like a completely different place now.

You boys need to pop arround the back by the library/park and they're still there in force. The roosters I mean.

Ahh yes, Chicken Park.

Gr8 street lights - shitty 70's style buildings - it is time for NZ to re-face these hideous monstrosities - vote for me and I will make sure that there won't be one 70's style building left in NZ ;) $HIT I hate them with a passion !!!

The only good thing to come out of the 70's was the music, the rest was just utter crap! Flares, bad hair styles, worse clothing, petrol crises, MULDOON, thinkBIG, post modern abortitionism, Dhatsun sunny's, weekend boredom (no shopping), blah!!!

Oh god was I glad when that decade terminated!

hmm the 80's, Music started to deteriate, hair styles and shoulder pads were just bad, and glass towers!!!

Great to hear!

Albany, or more precisely the North Harbour Industrial - Oxymoron should be commercial/warehouse/distribution - Estate suffers severe congestion during the peak evening rush two hours. The powers that be have recently carried out a series of public hearings on possible solutions and the last I hear they're looking at traffic management and public transport.

I suggest one try and use the MAX (http://www.maxx.co.nz/) website to find how one gets from Birkdale to Albany Massey campus, and back!

Now my solution. The beauty of it is on its simplicity. Turn Albany Highway into the arterial road it is meant to be, by four lanning it from Upper Harbour Highway to the Albany Expressway. Turn the circle intersections into signalised ones. Ever noticed how the current arterials only congest at the lane reduction bottlenecks?

Maybe this thread could be renamed North Shore City Developments?

Anyway major update on the Westfield Albany development, which should make the mall rats extremely happy.

Already a hub for business, recreational and community facilities, the Westfield Albany development is the pivotal component of the Albany Town Centre and the first “greenfield” development for Westfield NZ.
Westfield will create a retail and entertainment centre which fulfils the traditional role of being a destination: a place to meet, shop, socialise and to be entertained.
Many months of consultation between Westfield and the
North Shore City Council have resulted in a fully integrated
town centre experience combining retail, residential, commercial, transport hubs and council services in line with the Council’s vision for the area.
Combining alfresco dining, restaurants, bars and cinemas with an expansive retail offer, Westfield Albany will be a very compelling choice for residents from the Hibiscus Coast to the north, the East Coast Bays to the east and will take advantage of the intense residential growth on Auckland’s North Shore.
Located adjacent to State Highway 1, Westfield Albany provides convenient and easy access for both north and southbound shoppers. Oteha Valley Road immediately to the north of
the Centre, provides a major east/west link. The Centre is
ideally located and is only 15 minutes drive time north of
the Auckland CBD.
A compelling offer:
• Over 100 specialty stores
• Approximately 2,000 carparks
• A new Farmers Department Store
• A new Kmart Department Store
• A New World Supermarket
• A SKYCITY Cinema complex
Kmart, the full department store offer of Farmers and SKYCITY Cinemas will be new to the North Shore of Auckland. The cinemas will feature approximately 10 screens, including two Gold Class auditoria.
Taking advantage of a trade area that features high household income, Westfield Albany is perfectly positioned as the North Shore’s most exciting retail opportunity. Clear linkage with the community and civic facilities will ensure Albany is unlike any other Westfield NZ development.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/overview.jpg

A stimulating and fully integrated environment
Westfield Albany will be an important catalyst for the Albany Town Centre development and will complement the residential, retail, recreational and transport infrastructure already in
place including:
• Massey University
• North Harbour Stadium
• North Harbour Tennis
• Council amenities/District Courts
• Transport hub
An innovative design incorporating externalised shops will provide a stimulating environment for shoppers through the effective use of public space. A streetscape retail environment with externalised shop fronts to the north facing Civic Plaza integrates seamlessly with Civic Crescent. Clearly defined pathways through the site will encourage efficient and safe pedestrian access.
The Westfield Albany development will stimulate growth and investment in the area through approximately 1,300 direct construction jobs and up to 1,500 direct retail jobs that will be created as a result of the development.

1 more overview of the entire concept...

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/overview2.jpg

and more detailed design maps...

Level One
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/levelone.jpg

Level Two
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/level2.jpg

And now the artists renderings you've all been dying for...

Internal view of covered street and food court
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/InternalViewofCoveredStreetandFoodC.jpg

Internal view of mall
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/InternalViewofMall.jpg

And 10 minutes north (Motorway) one can go skiing - indoors at Silverdale, 10 minutes south is the nightlife/culture of Takapuna, 10 minutes east are the eastcoast bay beaches and 10 minutes west the vineyards/mountain bike trails of Woodhill forest/West City.

finally, some idea as to whats happening over there! i live on albany highway and take the busway to AUT in town. Ive been wondering what the westfield will end up like, and these give a good idea as to where they are heading.

They definately need to upgrade the roads though - everywhere in albany is just 2 lanes each way with a grass strip in the middle, no shoulders with high sharp curbs, and roundabouts everywhere.
Its bloody annoying to have to drive past everthing on the otherside of the road, go around a roundabout, and travel back to it!
also, as it is getting busier it seems like we need wider shoulders and more traffic lights. But thats just my opinion.

And to a poster above - the roosters are still here! they mostly hang out at the park near lucus creek behind the library and that area.

Awsome! Whats the go for highrises though? Have they still left that strip next to the northern motorway for them in the overall plan?

A somewhat improved rendering of the Albany City concept.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/Albanycityrendering.jpg

^^
Love it! Especially those talls along the motorway.

Yeah definitely! Thanks for the update

Went past the southend, by the Courthouse (top part of the rendering above^^), and saw the beginnings of a lot of construction activity at the Westfield Mall area, but parking at the best observation sites is crap. Later today, as per my training schedule, I'll be running past here, and can grab some pics on the cell - so after 2pm will hopefully update!

As promised did a run by and took a series of snaps on my cell over the perimeter fence. Weather was absolutely crap so the pics are pretty poor. But they appear to be picking up steam.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0720.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0721.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0722.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0723.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0724.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0727.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0726.jpg

Thanks Kane - I got my visa for The North Shore ;) so I will be heading out that way tonight (visiting some Saffers in Brown's Bay) - hopefully I will get to see what is happenning there.

haha - browns bay is a sort of an SA ghetto, like chowick, and blockhouse mumbai.

haha - browns bay is a sort of an SA ghetto, like chowick, and blockhouse mumbai.

Spot on Mate ! It was the very first place I saw in Auckland and I nearly died ;) The Springbok Kafee was the funniest - my bf and I still roll on the floor with laughter every time we speak about it.

30-level tower plan for Albany
NZ Herald 2006/10/24 (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10407264)

A $500 million high-rise apartment and shopping complex is being planned to create a new town centre on vacant land at Albany.

A large site on Don McKinnon Drive east of the Albany Supa Centa has been earmarked for the North Shore's largest development, bringing 794 apartment units and a number of shops and cafes.

The blocks will each have podiums of six to 10 levels and towers of 21, 25 and 30 levels. But the scheme is yet to get approval. Submissions were called for earlier this month and people have until the end of October to make their views known.

The developer is Albany City Holdings, a venture between Auckland developers Symphony Group and Mike O'Sullivan and Kevin Podmore, directors of financier St Laurence in Wellington.

Project chief Adam Reynolds of Symphony said North Shore City Council was processing the planning on a notified basis. Reynolds said the towers would be developed on land leased from Rick Martin's Cornerstone Group which had sold only the leasehold interest in perpetuity.

Apartments in the towers would be sold for between $400,000 and $500,000, Reynolds said, and be at 80 Don McKinnon Drive, near the North Shore District Court building.

Consultants Planning Network Services said Vern Warren was working on a council-initiated plan change on behalf of Neil Properties, Cornerstone Group and Symphony Group to provide for the development of a mixed use city centre in Albany.

"The new centre will provide for a range of retail, office, residential, employment, entertainment, education and community facilities," the consultant said.

The council's Stefan Naude said architects Jasmax had designed the towers. Parking for 1510 cars had been applied for, along with a gym, cinema and swimming pool. Westfield has begun its new $200 million mall near the development site.

Great news Kane! :cheers:

News of this has made my day. :cucumber: :banana:

Looks like Takapuna's skyline has some serious competition.

Vid showing first dirt being broken for westfield Albany..

http://www.timelapse.co.nz/westfield_QT.html

be cool once its done!

Cool, far better quality than my cellphone pics taken on rainy days!

There setting up a tower crane in Albany on the Westfield site.
To the right is the Pak'N'Save. Upper right you can see the District Court building.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0777.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0778.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0779.jpg

^^Look like a brand new CBD for Auckland, so what a bout the 3 tall towers?? next year maybe??:cheers2:

^^Look like a brand new CBD for Auckland, so what a bout the 3 tall towers?? next year maybe??:cheers2:

Paint drys faster.:)

But ya never know!

Just did a Drive By this afto.

There getting busy on the Westfield site...

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF6685.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF6691.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF6702.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF6694.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF6703.jpg

Don't those cranes just turn you on LOL can't wait to see those 30 level Towers go ahead :cheers:

Strange that you mention that :).

Aussie Co Buys Into Albany Development (http://xtramsn.co.nz/businessandmoney/0,,13273-6846871,00.html)

Listed Australian trust Valad Property Group is spending nearly $15 million for a share in the development of Albany.

It has bought a 50 percent interest in Albany Partners Ltd, the sole shareholder in Albany City Property Investments Ltd (ACPIL) which is planning to create a new town centre in Albany.

In November ACPIL unveiled a $500 million plan for bare land at Albany, including a 200-room hotel, large-scale apartment project, with three towers rising up to 30 levels, up to 15 office blocks rising 10 levels, a retirement village and bulk retail.

ACPIL said Valad -- a property trust and funds management company with more than $A2.2 billion ($NZ2.5 billion) of total assets under management -- was paying $14.8 million for its Albany investment.

Symphony Projects Ltd and Auguste Albany Ltd, and their associates, would continue to have collectively a 50 percent interest in ACPIL through their interest in Albany Partners.

ACPIL director Garry Looker said Valad's involvement would accelerate plans for the development of ACPIL's sub-leasehold properties in Albany.

It would also help with the company's broader strategy to develop a long-term property investment vehicle.

ACPIL announced in November its intention to raise $20 million by the issue of secured bonds, with the right to accept $10 million in oversubscriptions. The first tranche of bonds was issued last month, and the offer will close on March 30.

The proceeds of the offer will help ACPIL and its subsidiaries in the purchase of 12.85ha of perpetually renewable sub-leasehold interests in land in Albany.

That land, which would form part of the wider Albany City precinct, was intended to be developed for a diverse mix of uses, ACPIL said.

As a result of the Valad transaction, the total amount of equity to be invested in ACPIL would increase from $23.1 million to $29.6 million.

Aussie Co Buys Into Albany Development (http://xtramsn.co.nz/businessandmoney/0,,13273-6846871,00.html)

In November ACPIL unveiled a $500 million plan for bare land at Albany, including a 200-room hotel, large-scale apartment project, with three towers rising up to 30 levels, up to 15 office blocks rising 10 levels, a retirement village and bulk retail.

Yum Yum Bubble Gum :cheers:

Some general Albany pictures I took a couple of weeks back:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/atkinson1/DSCF4290Large.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/atkinson1/DSCF4293Large.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/atkinson1/DSCF4300Large.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/atkinson1/DSCF4302Large.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/atkinson1/DSCF4303Large.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/atkinson1/DSCF4321Large.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/atkinson1/DSCF4319Large.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/atkinson1/DSCF4326Large.jpg

Looking south towards Takapuna:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/atkinson1/DSCF4285Large.jpg

Actually they are great shots , as they give us out of Towners a better idea of Location and general Landscape ... Ta Tommy :)

Ha, has anyone noticed the new tower crane on Constellation Drive in the vicinity of the Constellation Bus station?

Just saw it tonight on my way home, so was wandering if anyone has any tidbits. Its about as tall as the tower crane in the above Westfield Albany pics.

Ha, has anyone noticed the new tower crane on Constellation Drive in the vicinity of the Constellation Bus station?

Just saw it tonight on my way home, so was wandering if anyone has any tidbits. Its about as tall as the tower crane in the above Westfield Albany pics.
http://www.archimedia.co.nz/Images/Projects/075_ConstellationDr_LG.jpg:)

Cnr of Constellation Drive and Parkway Rise ?:)
Would need a Tower Crane just for the Width of the site :cheers:

http://www.movingtimes.co.nz/share/property_images/2405.jpg

Cool. I'll try and swing by and see if there is a billboard.

Cnr of Constellation Drive and Parkway Rise ?:)
Would need a Tower Crane just for the Width of the site :cheers:

http://www.movingtimes.co.nz/share/property_images/2405.jpg

Yep thats the one. Did a drive by - unarmed - tonight on my way home, and the billboard it looks 8-10 levels.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0851.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0854.jpg

:banana:

Yep thats the one. Did a drive by - unarmed - tonight on my way home, and the billboard it looks 8-10 levels.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0851.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0854.jpg

My lunch time run, I diverted through Albany central to catch a construction update. Due to mass constraints I was restricted to my 1.3 MP cell camera. LOL :) .

Looking up Appian Way, with the Westfield Mall progressing very nicely on the right side of the road.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0871.jpg

Westfield Mall looking towards the Pak'N'Save. Looks like it could be connected to the mall. Base will be ground floor car parking.

Level I
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/levelone.jpg
That big red, ground floor, area will be farmers.

Level II
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/level2.jpg
That blue area will be the 10 cinema Sky cinema complex.
Bottom left blue is 2nd floor of farmers, large red at upper right is Kmart, and the smaller red right of that is New World.

At last a Kmart on the Shore!

More ground floor, with the yellow livery of Pak'N'Save in the background.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0873.jpg

Over the road development is progressing on the "Central Park" green area.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0874.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0875.jpg

This will essentially be the back of the Kmart and New World parts of the mall.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0876.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0877.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0878.jpg

A friend took me for a drive around there and it is amazing to see how many coffee shops are interspersed between those wharehouses. Some are funky as - I was pleasantly surprised. It is going to be an awesome area when it is all complete.

I'm looking forward to the completion of the park and the mixed use residential precincts.

A friend took me for a drive around there and it is amazing to see how many coffee shops are interspersed between those wharehouses. Some are funky as - I was pleasantly surprised. It is going to be an awesome area when it is all complete.

Yeah there are some good little coffee shops and cafes around the industrial area actually.

Yeah there are some good little coffee shops and cafes around the industrial area actually.

True,

BTW Kane I work in Albany...

When the hell are we going to bump into someone off SSC?

Its never happened yet. Will it? Look out for this:

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1020194.jpg

:banana:

Is that your car bro? That looks awesome. I'm sure my sister's boyfriends car has that number plate but never mind lol must be a similar one

^^ Ben, you work up behind the HSBC don't you. I work over by Rosedale Rd, and the only times out of the office during the day, is my 2ish pounding of the pavement.

Hey, I might route through "Corinthian drive" this afto. So if you see a weirdo taking pics of you car, don't worry I'm not trying to steal it! :)

Is that your car bro? That looks awesome. I'm sure my sister's boyfriends car has that number plate but never mind lol must be a similar one

Lol yea it is man!

^^ Ben, you work up behind the HSBC don't you. I work over by Rosedale Rd, and the only times out of the office during the day, is my 2ish pounding of the pavement.

Hey, I might route through "Corinthian drive" this afto. So if you see a weirdo taking pics of you car, don't worry I'm not trying to steal it! :)

Lol yea im over on Corinthina Drive office park :D

lol small world! :lol:

You should get someone to photograph it on the motorway and use it for advertisement

Yea thats not a bad idea, like a back shot of it then put it on a big bilboard with that being the only text :)

Guess who's car I stumbled across this afternoon

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0906.jpg

Me trying for my 0.43 seconds of fame... good photography (by cell). :)

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0907.jpg

And a different perspective on the construction of the Westfield Albany Mall!

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0908.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0909.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A0912.jpg

OMG lol!!!!

Good on ya mate!

That's funny :) a small world we live in. Great pics of Albany Mall - it is going to be huge. By the way, what are they building on the hill in the background ?(where that forest has been cleared - damn ! I hate it when they chop trees down)

Condos! Or Units as we call them in NZ!

The way you hunted Ben out is brilliant Kane!! Come on Ben - spring him!!!!:lol:

The way you hunted Ben out is brilliant Kane!! Come on Ben - spring him!!!!:lol:

Haha yeah next time hide in the boot and jump out - photographing him to the days!

Haha yeah next time hide in the boot and jump out - photographing him to the days!

:rofl:

Yea thats not a bad idea, like a back shot of it then put it on a big bilboard with that being the only text :)

Yeah like this or something:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/atkinson1/akmotorways04.jpg

^^Very nice Tom, lol at the irony of advertising relating to motorways on a bus stop.

Haha yeah thats true. It's like a battle of the drivers vs. the public transport people. The drivers will be walking past to get to the carpark across the road, while the transport folks will be at the bus stop getting on that bus.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/atkinson1/akmotorways04.jpg

OMG THATS IS WICKED!!!

Thanks tom :)

Latest update on the construction progress of Westfield Albany.
It is planned for a 2 phase opening.

Stage one is now due to open September 2007.
Stage two is now due to open November 2007.

^^ Is this mall actully worth it? Westfield should have cottoned on here and done something like a Botany.

I am cringing just at the plans and ideas for malls. I hate them!

Apart from Shore City which is pretty good now.

They did something similar at Westgate (Massey). Problem there, is you need your car to get from Mitre 10 to the cinemas. :) :nuts:

Me I try to avoid malls if I can. Strip shopping is somewhat more enjoyable - fresh air, sun shine, cool breeze and its good to walk from store to store. A ferry ride over to Queen St can make it a day trip.

Malls are a necessary evil. Take Glenfield as an example. I frequent Dick Smiths which is set up more along the "strip" format but sometimes the rest of it can be handy. Though I plan my excursion with military accuracy and get in and out like a thief in the night!

^^ Yea Glenfield is the classic, get the hell outa here mall.

Whenever I shop I either go to the city or newmarket.

I love how Glenfield is built on that hill (great view of auckland and of the foodcourt as you come down the escalator) but once you are properly inside it does feel like a deep dark cavern.

Better views from the carpark on top of Highbury (Birkenhead).

This is my local - strip with lots of shop, restaurants, bars and even a little pseudo mall.

Better views from the carpark on top of Highbury (Birkenhead).

This is my local - strip with lots of shop, restaurants, bars and even a little pseudo mall.

Birkenhead Point is a charming area. My parents live there. However, that mall is a disaster. Hideously ugly, even with its little dome (the highpoint,) and in all my many years of Birkenhead experience I've never known it to have one interesting store. When Countdown and The Warehouse are not only your biggest, but also your most interesting tenants, you know you've got problems. :ohno:

Lol your right the "mall" is crap. But there are a number of cool little 2nd hand shops and book store. Fabulous model shop. Blitzas Italian. etc.

Lol your right the "mall" is crap. But there are a number of cool little 2nd hand shops and book store. Fabulous model shop. Blitzas Italian. etc.

Are these stores you mention in the mall? Tenants come and go from that building so quickly I'm sure none remain from the last time I was there.

Blitza's Italian? Is that in the food court area? That food court....good grief, I had forgotten it even existed. About three choices, one of them being Burger King? You are much better off eating outside of the mall. There are some good restaurants in Highbury. I'm not sure how that mall could be improved, but something major needs to be done. Unless you are shopping for groceries at the supermarket there is absolutely no reason to go in there. Except for maybe to use the parking lot. :lol:

Are these stores you mention in the mall? Tenants come and go from that building so quickly I'm sure none remain from the last time I was there.

Blitza's Italian? Is that in the food court area? That food court....good grief, I had forgotten it even existed. About three choices, one of them being Burger King? You are much better off eating outside of the mall. There are some good restaurants in Highbury. I'm not sure how that mall could be improved, but something major needs to be done. Unless you are shopping for groceries at the supermarket there is absolutely no reason to go in there. Except for maybe to use the parking lot. :lol:

:lol: No, no, forget that shed for a mall - only 2 good stores - robert harris and another coffee shop (forget the name but not STARBUCKS). I mean there are 2 $2.00 shops right next door to each other! :bash:

The best shops are on the strip.
Blitza's make a mean chicken fettuccine!

- only 2 good stores - robert harris and another coffee shop

I used to work at that Robert Harris when I was a N/cote College student. Back in my day it had a superior position within the mall towards the back where the Warehouse now sits with views over the majestic Highbury bypass.

For strip shopping, Cuba Street can't be beaten. The nearest Westfield in Wgtn is at Queensgate in Lower Hutt. Many years ago I once believed, "hey cool, let's go to the mall", but nowadays it feels more than a bit cookie-cutterish, just like any other shopping mall.

Better views from the carpark on top of Highbury (Birkenhead).

This is my local - strip with lots of shop, restaurants, bars and even a little pseudo mall.

Yeah Highbury is my local too. Haha the mall is great, although it would be nothing without the Countdown and Warehouse, and those two $2 shops that are next to each other lol

Haha the mall is great, although it would be nothing without the Countdown and Warehouse, and those two $2 shops that are next to each other lol

2 Cheap is much better than Dollar Store 1,2,3.

2 Cheap is much better than Dollar Store 1,2,3.

Them there is fighting words! :lol:

^^ :lol:

NO! The Nothing Over $3 shop is!

Progress photos of the Westfield Mall and Central Park.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1059.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1060.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1061.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1062.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1063.jpg

Thanks Kane,

They are absolutely flying along!

$500m Albany project to start in May
by Tamsyn Parker
Albany City Property Investments Ltd (ACPIL) has signalled it could start work on a $500 million development as soon as May, beginning with a 5.4ha office park next to Auckland’s Northern Motorway.

The firm, jointly owned by ASX-listed property and fund management firm Valad Property Group and a joint venture between developer Symphony Projects and Auguste Albany, took possession of the office park land and a second 5ha block zoned for mixed use at the end of last year.

The land has been sub-leased from owners Symphony and Auguste and is part of a 12.85ha land package ACPIL is buying for $63 million from the joint venture.

ACPIL director Garry Looker said providing consents went ahead, the group expected to start work on the office park in May and on a hotel at the mixed use site by June.

Mr Looker said development of the office park, located next to the ASB Centre, would include a crèche, park-like paths and carparking facilities to cater for the office staff and make it a pleasant place to work.

While he would not reveal exactly who had signed leases for the site, he indicated that a number of parties were interested, including a government department.

Mr Looker said work on a three-and-a-half star hotel on the second site would probably start around a month later. In the first stage of development, 120 hotel rooms are to be built. A further 80 are planned for the second stage.

He said a deal with the hotel operator was due to be signed any day.

“The hotel will target business visitors during the week and will include a small conference centre.”

Hotel users are also expected to be offered the ability to access North Harbour Stadium’s facilities including an aquatic centre still to be built.

ACPIL is also in talks with the government over building a school on the site and is also looking at the potential for a medical facility like The Ascot in Greenlane and a multi*storeyed retirement village.

But development of its third block of land, adjoining the new Westfield shopping centre, could be some time off. Westfield is continuing to oppose ACPIL over its plans to develop a bulk retail complex on the site.

The outcome depends on the result of an environment court hearing, which finished on February 7.

The Albany greenfield development is expected to be home to 9000 residents and 15,500 workers once complete.:banana:

There's a good herald story on Albany development..http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=28&objectid=10427976
Entitled "The dustbowl they call paradise"

Latest pictorial update of the progress of Westfield Albany and Albany Central Park.

Taken Tuesday lunchtime and would've posted then but for the server issues! :nuts:

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/2007_03_27_0002.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/2007_03_27_0003.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/2007_03_27_0004.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/2007_03_27_0005.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/2007_03_27_0006.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/2007_03_27_0007.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/2007_03_27_0008.jpg

Great update Kane :cheers:

I have a horrible fealing that this...

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/2007_03_27_0002.jpg

will all be carparks. Here's hoping I'm wrong!

Come on NSCC get your head's out of the proverbial and change things.

^^One word for that!
Yuk!:puke:

$100 says it's carpacks ;~<

^^^ I agree, Albany is going to become another huge parking lot with the extension of car parks at the Albany park & ride ... what a shame. Damn Suburbanites !!! ;)

Hang on a minute. This may in fact cure the northern motorways traffic congestion problems. If everyone north of Glenfield parks in the malls lots and walk over to the BRT then... hang on, this should also cure the obesity epidemic, at least for the north shorites.

Wait, there's more. This will also reduce pollution!

Excellent plaining NSCC and Westfield. I knew they had something up their sleeves! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Now if only the NSCC gets their heads out of their collective and 4 lane Albany Highway, then driving to the busway would be POSSIBLE!:cheers:

Albany **** to start first ********, extends bonds offer

Reduced in re-editing 1 ***** 2007

Published 30 March 2007

Albany **** Property Investments Ltd has received resource consent to build its first office ******** at Albany and will start earthworks in *****.

Director Garry Looker said on Thursday the company had also secured its first tenant. The office ********, next to the Northern Motorway, will cover 3600m² and have 104 parking spaces. The project is in line with the North Shore **** Council’s masterplan for Albany ****.

Mr Looker said Albany **** Property Investments was also extending its capital raising to Tueday 15 May after receiving $13 million from the public, with commitments for a further $6 million. The bonds are trading on the Unlisted trading platform.

Mr Looker said: “We believe the pleasing level of support for this *** company is a reflection of the quality of the investment and the vision of the project. From the outset, we have been actively working with other stakeholders to create an attractive & sustainable business environment for the region that meets all retail, recreational & environmental requirements, and that appeals to our investors.”

Albany **** Property Investments is seeking to raise $20 million by the issue of secured bonds to enable it & its subsidiaries to acquire perpetually re***able subleasehold interests in 12.85ha at Albany for $63 million:cheers:

Mods - please change the title of this thread to PROJECT | ALBANY CITY .... this is starting to take off ;) Thanks.

THE FOUNDRY - STAGE 1

The Foundry is the first major residential complex to be built in Albany City. adopting a new urbanist approach to the planning concepts for this development, The Foundry will provide extremely spacious apartment living in a central location. Its site is immediately adjacent to the commercial hub expected to become the prime focal point for the North Shore within the next ten years. When complete, The Foundry will comprise 585 apartments built in three stages. Each stage surrounds individual recreational areas, adjoining the Albany Lakes Reserve – the new park central to the entire Albany City project. Among the design criteria demanded by Platypus for The Foundry is the need to ensure `liveability’ for its occupants. This includes a focus on providing generous living spaces, with indoor / outdoor flow to balconies or courtyards, suiting today’s living styles. Traffic flow is muted throughout the development, with extremely generous underground parking provided for residents.


http://www.pbase.com/enigma35/image/76990639.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/enigma35/image/76990641.jpg

LINK : http://www.thefoundryalbany.co.nz/location.html

http://www.thefoundryalbany.co.nz/images/home_banner.jpg

The Foundry has been designed to offer a new dimension to North Shore living.
(http://www.thefoundryalbany.co.nz/index.html)

Plus earlier POST (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=12601925&highlight=foundry#post12601925), though I thought it deserved its own thread.

Settled in a high-quality apartment complex, you’ll be at the centre of a vibrant emerging city that is close to parks, shops, entertainment facilities and many of North Shores pristine beaches.

Whether you’re looking for a low maintenance lifestyle or starting on a whole new pathway, living at The Foundry offers the possibility of bright new beginnings.

It’s all so easy. You’ll find that work, family and recreation are more naturally brought into balance when you don’t have to face the demands of a tiresome commute or a high maintenance property. Smart modern design with clean lines and attractive vistas will provide a restful ambience all day and all night. And by taking advantage of purchasing now, you’ll have the chance to secure a desirable lifestyle in one of Auckland’s most exciting new locations.

If you’re open to the best in urban living, The Foundry could be just what you’re looking for...

I really like this building - I don't know why? I'm not really into communial living, but this looks ok.

Good for Albany but im not so sure on the design. Cant put my finger on it

^^Too monolithic?

^^ Thanks.. Yeah thats it

http://www.thefoundryalbany.co.nz/images/location_banner.jpg:)

What would create better architectural results would be if they sold off leases to the all those blocks in small alotments and allowing different developers/architects to put up all the buildings, thereby creating abit of individuality to things. This is what a REAL city centre is like. Well its up to the developers i guess but thats what i'd do....

What would create better architectural results would be if they sold off leases to the all those blocks in small alotments and allowing different developers/architects to put up all the buildings, thereby creating abit of individuality to things. This is what a REAL city centre is like. Well its up to the developers i guess but thats what i'd do....:cheers:

A billion-dollar development at Albany, north of Auckland, has been approved by the Environment Court.

A District Plan change required to build a combined residential and commercial development had been opposed by Westfield, which is already building a shopping centre in the area.

Symphony property development managing director Adam Reynolds says the two retail areas should complement each other.

He says his company is focussing on bulk retail, rather than the smaller stores usually found in a shopping centre.

Mr Reynolds says groundwork is already underway, with the first stores due to open by the middle of next year.

The plan includes apartment housing for about 6000 people, 400,000 square metres of retail space, and office space for more than 10,000 workers. It has been planned since 2003.

Mr Reynolds says it will rival Auckland city as an urban hub.:cheers:

I hope we get to see a bit more imagination with the design of future Towers :cheers:
Tall enough for emporis me thinks .........I wonder how many 35m plus Buildings has now , one day I guess someone will have the patience and time to do a count :cheers:

http://platypusgroup.co.nz/img/display-william-laurie.jpg

Completed, just for Auckland.

Emporis has 167 buildings @ 35m or 8 floors, then another 28 > than 8 floors but without a height listing, so that would equal 197.

+ Completed Manukau 1 and I would swear I've seen a couple more as I race down the Southern Motorway.

+ Completed Takapuna 7. Yep that's what it says. The 3 in Smales Farm. 3 in Taka's, 1 Milford, NS hospital, 1 or 2 down devonport way, and I think there is an 6-8 story in Birkenhead. And that's not counting the Sentinel.

What about Rodney, I'm sure the Nautilus counts. Plus a couple out west - Henderson, New Lynn and soon to be completed Te Atatu Peninsula.

Out of interest I counted 114 35m or 8 floors in Wellington.

Morning run took in Westfield Albany, Albany central and Albany village....


http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1282.jpg
looking north towards north harbour stadium.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1283.jpg
the New World part is looking finished

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1284.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1285.jpg
the councils "Lakes and Albany central" park

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1286.jpg
at my left

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1287.jpg
and my right

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1288.jpg
I believe this will be the main entrance we are seeing on Westfield's billboards

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1289.jpg
I think this will be the K Mart end

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1291.jpg
and some new Apartments in the Albany village just about finished.

^^ :ohno:

Just read in tonight's North Shore Times about Westfield Albany.

Stage ONE opens Thursday 30 August and includes 60 shops and 900+ car parks.
Included stores will be New World and north shores very first K Mart! :)

Are all the car parks going to be surface level or will there be a provision for them to be made multistory?

Perhaps they will have learned from the lesson at Constellation Dr whereby a multistory carpark was desperately needed from the word go.

Are all the car parks going to be surface level or will there be a provision for them to be made multistory?

Perhaps they will have learned from the lesson at Constellation Dr whereby a multistory carpark was desperately needed from the word go.

I believe at the moment majority of carparks will be surface parking, with the provision to move towards multistorey as the centre expands over the next decade. At the moment the car parking is just a place holder for future expansion.

I also believe part of the next stage is overtop of some carparks.

The Westfield is due to open pretty soon isn't it?

^^ Stage 1 Thursday 30 August!
That is 60 shops incl. New World, Kmart and Farmers.

Stage 2 is end of November and that's the rest plus Sky City (probably by then under different management) Cinemas, which includes the 2 mega screens!

I'm looking forward to the big screens - having sample the delights of the 37metre one at Sylvia Park, the Kmart for price and range of kids toys, and believe it or not the New World - the pak N Slave is just tooo chaotic

^^ Stage 1 Thursday 30 August!
That is 60 shops incl. New World, Kmart and Farmers.

Stage 2 is end of November and that's the rest plus Sky City (probably by then under different management) Cinemas, which includes the 2 mega screens!

I'm looking forward to the big screens - having sample the delights of the 37metre one at Sylvia Park, the Kmart for price and range of kids toys, and believe it or not the New World - the pak N Slave is just tooo chaotic

Don't forget Gold Class .. spoil the kids :lol: and bankrupt yourself ;)

Only do Gold Class if the screen is wider than 35metres. Me want BIGGGGG!:nuts:

I guess it will be good to go to Albany and for there to be more than just the "MegaCarpark".... Oops, I mean the Mega Centre.

:lol: the mega car park is being expended across the road and the new anex is titled Westfield mega car parking.

Soon it'll be one massive car park stretching all the way from Albany Expressway to the Albany bus station. On the glass is half full side, it'll be good for the bus way users :nuts: .

It's a hell of a long walk from the Westfield carpark to the bus station isn't it?

Na, not really. I work in Albany and sometimes I need to go into the CBD on a job. As I'm loath to drive and park I'll either drive to the bus station or walk (about 15 minutes from about Rosedale Rd).

Used to sometimes have it as part of my lunch time jog.

I'll have to (somehow) get up there at the end of the month to check it out as it's the mid semester break soon!

Piece of cake. Just pop down to Britomart and take one of the blue Nothern Express buses. They are on the left facing the ferry terminal and I think cost about $6 ish return to Albany Station! Then its about a 5 minute easy walk along the lanes! About a 20 minute trip each way in OK traffic.

What was the reasoning behind not having the busway northbound between Onewa and Esmonde does anybody know? There is plenty of room for a one-lane busway on the landward side of the motorway between the existing lanes and the cliff along most of that area.

Seems odd that the buses will have to crawl in traffic all the way up to Esmonde before actually getting any advantage compared to normal traffic.

Aucklandman should be able to answer this later when he's finished class.

Maybe it's a project caldera, which I think it is.

Piece of cake. Just pop down to Britomart and take one of the blue Nothern Express buses. They are on the left facing the ferry terminal and I think cost about $6 ish return to Albany Station! Then its about a 5 minute easy walk along the lanes! About a 20 minute trip each way in OK traffic.

By somehow I meant the cost factor - $14 is rather hefty for a student seeing as I'm not paying for a monthly discovery pass over the mid semester break.

^^ $6 return was mentioned above. Lots cheaper than $14.

Actually the maxx website (http://www2.maxx.co.nz/fullEnquiry.asp?PageMode=&Vehicle=BusTrainFerry&Wheelchair=&WalkSpeed=NORMAL&Priority=&IsAfter=A&Time=03%3A50PM&Date=21%2F8%2F2007&MaxChanges=-1&ViewPreference=Q&FromLoc=Albany+Station%7E%7E%3BAlbany+Station%3B%5B2663344%3A6496193%5D%7E%7EPOINT&ToLoc=Britomart+Transport+Centre%7E%7E%3BBritomart+Transport+Centre%3B%5B2668011%3A6482668%5D%7E%7EPOINT&x=50&y=14) has it as $5.40 one way and $3.20 one way for the concession fare.

^^ $6 return was mentioned above. Lots cheaper than $14.

I live in Howick (I believe I mentioned that in an earlier post, but I don't expect you guys to remember all my posts, sorry for not being clear) - $6.50 for 5 stage Howick and Eastern ticket + $5.40 Northern express and then return = $23.80. Cheaper to buy day ticket.

I live in Howick (I believe I mentioned that in an earlier post, but I don't expect you guys to remember all my posts, sorry for not being clear)
I only joined up yesterday :) Ouch Howick to Albany via public transport, could take a whole day getting there and back!

I only joined up yesterday :) Ouch Howick to Albany via public transport, could take a whole day getting there and back!

My girlfriend lives in Browns Bay - so I end up doing the cross town trip fairly often unfortunately. It can take me 3.5 hours depending on schedules and traffic levels. It'd be quicker though with using the Northern Express.

Oh, and let me offer my welcomes and what not too! Nice to have someone actually involved in planning on board. I personally know very little about planning etc. My knowledge (or lack thereof) only comes through reading and through own personal experience here and abroad. Like I said before, I'm a scientist not an [insert profession here]! :)

^^ Oh wow that's nasty. Howick to Brown's Bay - I don't think it's possible to be further away yet still be in Auckland. I feel sorry for you.

I was in a situation for about 4 months where I was living in Western Springs and my girlfriend lived in Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa. Fortunately I had a car though!

Browns bay - I'd think when they get a ferry coming here it'd be even faster! :)

Imagine ferries from Howick direct to Browns Bay.

Na only dreaming, wont happen in my life time.

^^ Oh wow that's nasty. Howick to Brown's Bay - I don't think it's possible to be further away yet still be in Auckland. I feel sorry for you.

I was in a situation for about 4 months where I was living in Western Springs and my girlfriend lived in Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa. Fortunately I had a car though!

I have use of a car, but I LOATHE driving. I'll do anything I can to avoid it (typical young Brit really).

Anyway, to get back on topic, does anyone know what kind of flagship or anchor stores are going to be present? Also, if it is known, can someone point me towards a website of a store list or something?

^^ I assume you're talking about the Westfield.

I know there's going to be a Kmart and cinemas - as well as the New World that's been previously mentioned. Not sure beyond that. I imagine Progressives (Foodtown, Woolworths, Countdown) will want a supermarket somewhere in Albany.

Farmers, Kmart, New World. Their site seems to be down at the moment.

My girlfriend lives in Browns Bay - so I end up doing the cross town trip fairly often unfortunately. It can take me 3.5 hours depending on schedules and traffic levels.

Ouch... someone can get to Sydeny from Auckland by the time you get to Browns Bay

:nuts:

Shot around to Westfield Albany this morning (2007/08/30), just to get some yoghurt and ice blocks.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF9169_resize.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF9170_resize.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF9171_resize.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF9172_resize.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF9173_resize.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF9174_resize.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF9175_resize.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF9176_resize.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF9177_resize.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF9178_resize.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF9179_resize.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF9181_resize.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF9182_resize.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF9183_resize.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/DSCF9184_resize.jpg

Cool

Thanks for the pics Kane ..... all I can say is - BORING !! the Interior Designer needs to be shot.

^^ You expect a Westfield mall to not be boring? That's their whole point, predictably boring, but you know what you're gonna get.

Kind of like McDonald's really.

Looks all shiny and new to me. Good to see another Kmart in Auckland!

Yes, it didn't grab me either. I also thought, man this is quite plain.

From the outside it looks ghastly. Inside generic.

Thanks for saving me the drive up to Albany to check this out.

looks very similar to Sylvia park?

Goodness me! Sylvia Park and Manukau Westfield had a baby!

Is it single-level throughout? Single level malls are so damn boring!

looks very similar to Sylvia park?

Yes they are VERY much alike

Albany is a disaster. Maybe even beyond repair but hopefully not

Its a cheap version of Sylvia Park, Sylvia Park is actually nice, this looks like absolute crap.

Terrible competition from Westfield.

It still shocks me how busy malls get, shop somewhere classy!!!!!!

God I hate these big malls :(

Yea this place looks so bland and crap. All of Albany just appears to be a mish mash of bad design. Even Botany is better that this. And thats like 6 years old now.

Its a cheap version of Sylvia Park, Sylvia Park is actually nice, this looks like absolute crap.

Terrible competition from Westfield.

It still shocks me how busy malls get, shop somewhere classy!!!!!!

God I hate these big malls :(

Yeah - I agree, Sylvia Park is great from a design perspective and Westfield could have done soooooo much better BUT it isn't completed as yet - here is to hope ;)

^^ Yea, even though I dont like malls I would rather have quality ones.

GATEWAY:

http://www.albanycity.co.nz/images/gateway.png

Gateway Albany City is a premier retail precinct strategically located on the corner of Oteha Valley Road and Albany City's northern entrance. With 19,000 square meters of bulk retail and showroom space 7,700 square metres of speciality retail space and over 1,000 carparks, Gateway Albany is certain to become one of Auckland's most visited shopping destinations.
The Eastern block of the development will include upmarket food outlets such as delicatessens, coffee shops and patisseries. Office tenants will include medical facilities and general service-based retail. The Western block of the development comprises of bulk retail stores with a home focus. A Mitre 10 Mega store has already signed up as an anchor tenant.

Gateway Albany is certain to become one of Auckland's most visited shopping destinations.

Haha, not likely.

Haha, not likely.

But it will have Mitre 10 Mega as an anchor store!!! :lol:

What are the hight limits for Albany? In one of the previous posts it said that there would be more retail space than the entire Auckland cbd. If that is the case then will there be other significant retail centres aswell as Westfeild? What year is this supposed to happen?:lol: :banana:

http://www.albanycity.co.nz/images/albanycity.png


One of Albany City's signature features is its public open spaces, including a 6 hectare landscaped reserve with 2 lakes sitting at its heart. North Shore City Council also has plans for a major library and swimming pool complex to serve the area. The pedestrian network of streets, lanes and piazzas lures residents, workers and visitors to stroll through Albany City, and the vibrant mix of uses provides a vast array of shopping, restaurants, cafes and bars to ensure a quality lifestyle. Within walking distance, Massey University offers state-of-the-art facilities and specialised programmes to more than 6,000 students. Also nearby, North Harbour Domain boasts a 20,000-seat sport and entertainment stadium, a cricket ground, picnic areas and gardens. Just north of the Stadium you'll find the MORE FM Tennis Park - arguably the finest tennis complex in New Zealand. A bit further north there's Snow Planet - New Zealand's only all-year indoor snow resort. And if that's not enough to entice, Albany City is only minutes from the East Coast Bays and within a half hour of some of Auckland's finest beaches and regional parks.

Looks cool!
The artist sucks but the concept looks great

What are the hight limits for Albany? In one of the previous posts it said that there would be more retail space than the entire Auckland cbd. If that is the case then will there be other significant retail centres aswell as Westfeild? What year is this supposed to happen?:lol: :banana:

How about some sprawl limits?

How about some sprawl limits?

Unlikely. The North Shore was founded by sprawl.

Finally went to Westfield Albany yesterday after work.
What a disappointment!

It's SOOOO small (yes i know only stage 1 is opened.. but still) and the design was so boring. Not sure if i would want to go there again anytime soon even when stage 2 is opened.

Finally went to Westfield Albany yesterday after work.
What a disappointment!

It's SOOOO small (yes i know only stage 1 is opened.. but still) and the design was so boring. Not sure if i would want to go there again anytime soon even when stage 2 is opened.

In fairness to this sprawling mass, Sylvia Park was VERY disappointing during Stage 1 opening. The final product is quite a lot better than the initial shopping centre. Give it time and it might turn out to be far better than your expectations! Just don't hold your breath on it gaining some design flair though. :)

In fairness to this sprawling mass, Sylvia Park was VERY disappointing during Stage 1 opening. The final product is quite a lot better than the initial shopping centre. Give it time and it might turn out to be far better than your expectations! Just don't hold your breath on it gaining some design flair though. :)

yes it's true. Sylvia park was VERY disappointing during stage 1 opening. But remember it has 4 stages and stage 1 was only like 1/4 the total size and at least it has the Warehouse Extra which we quite like it. But Westfield Albany only has 2 stages and they claim it is the biggest shopping mall in NZ, bigger than Sylvia park. So i'm expecting something quite a lot better than the Sylvia Park stage 1 or even stage 1 & 2 combined.

Maybe i was expecting too much and it gives me the disappointment :(

But yes hopefully I'll come back and post a more positive reply when the stage 2 is opened.

Sylvia Park needs to expand - and soon - the place is a zoo. I am going to wait for stage 2 to open before I go there, the pics didn't look all that exciting.

Sylvia Park needs to expand - and soon - the place is a zoo. I am going to wait for stage 2 to open before I go there, the pics didn't look all that exciting.

Do you mean Westfield Albany? Sylvia Park is finished for now until the office blocks et al get the go ahead and start.

Do you mean Westfield Albany? Sylvia Park is finished for now until the office blocks et al get the go ahead and start.

Sylvia Park needs to expand but I will wait for Westfield Albany to finish (it didn't look to flash and I love things to be flash ;) )

DIY centre to join Albany retail scene
NZ HERALD - 5:00AM Wednesday October 10, 2007

http://media.apn.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/albany230.jpg

Symphony Projects Management has begun work on a $61.5 million home and DIY shopping project on an Albany site which will house 10 large stores. Gateway Albany City is the bulk retail component of a $1 billion mixed-use apartment and office project. Jeremy Nicoll, company secretary at the listed ING Property Trust Management, said on Monday that retailers specialising in furniture and interior decor, lighting and computers had signed leases. A new 10,000sq m Mitre 10 Mega store will be the anchor tenant on the bulk retail store site being developed on Oteha Valley Rd. Symphony owns half of ING Property Trust Management, the listed trust's manager, and Nicoll said it was that listed entity which had accepted Symphony Projects' proposal to develop the first part of the site.

The bulk retail store covers about half the area where a number of other major projects are being planned. Nicoll said the site for the Mitre 10 and home stores was north of the lakes in front of the new Westfield Albany. ING/Symphony's site is accessed off the Northern Motorway via the Oteha Valley interchange and lies across from the North Harbour Stadium. "Symphony started earthworks there about a month ago," Nicoll said yesterday. Negotiations are on with several other tenants for the rest of the bulk retail centre development, which Nicoll said Jones Lang LaSalle had valued at $61.5 million once it was completed. Symphony will get the lion's share of one-off development gains from the project. "Under the development agreement, the project profit from each of the developments will be distributed 30 per cent to the trust and 70 per cent to Symphony," Nicoll said. "The project profit from this development is $5.9 million, of which the trust will receive $1.77 million."

Bulking Up

* ING already owns most of the Mega Centa at Albany.

* Now work has started on a new town centre area nearby.

* This is a joint venture with Symphony Projects Management.

* Construction has started on a new Mitre 10 Mega.

* Work is due to be finished on the store by next Christmas.

I just saw those pics of Albany mall a couple of pages back. I'm currently typing this blind as I've gouged my eyes out in terror. :(

Will Albany be Auckland's biggest shopping centre for long or are there likely to be other centres vying to be the biggest? How does St Lukes compare and are there plans to expand?

Will Albany be Auckland's biggest shopping centre for long or are there likely to be other centres vying to be the biggest? How does St Lukes compare and are there plans to expand?

I am hoping that it does remain the biggest and that we NEVER get another shopping centre again ! BUT Sylvia Park will definitely expand to become the largest - again ... I have heard rumours that they are currently working on this but adding another floor (where the roof-top parking is).

Leasehold highrise apartment site on market

Symphony Projects Ltd has put its leasehold highrise apartment site in the Albany City Centre on the market, with consent for 503 units in place and a joint venture as a second sale option. After Rick Martin of Cornerstone Group Ltd bought the freehold on 44ha from Neil Developments Ltd for $250 million at the end of 2004, Symphony bought the perpetual leasehold interest. Buyers of units in subsequent developments acquire sublease interests. The 1.6ha site, designated A2 on the Albany City Centre plan, is at a high point beside the Northern Motorway, at 80 Don McKinnon Drive. It’s zoned business 11C – residential focus. Symphony is seeking expressions of interest by Wednesday 5 November, through Bayleys Real Estate Ltd.

The resource consent is for 2 highrise towers, one of 23 levels and the other of 29, on a 9-level podium. The towers will contain 398 apartments, the podium 105. Consent has also been granted for 920 parking spaces. The design provides for a range of living styles – courtyard as well as podium & tower – in a range from 1-4 bedrooms. It also includes a swimming pool, fitness centre, residential club, library, meeting room and a courtyard with cafés & shops. The proposition for a buyer of the leasehold on the site is:

*
a 21-year lease paying ground rent of 6.25% of freehold market value (assessed at the highest & best use of undeveloped land), with a 7-yearly review to market
*
a second 35-year term on the same ground rent and with the same rent reviews
*
turning into a lease in perpetuity.

The whole Albany City development area – including existing developments such as the North Harbour Stadium, Albany Mega Centre bulk retail area and Westfield NZ Ltd’s new shopping centre - contains 143ha in a triangle between State Highway 17, the Northern Motorway & Oteha Valley Rd. When the whole area is developed, projections are for a population of 10,000 and a workforce of 15,000. A second apartment development, The Foundry, already being marketed by Platypus (NZ) Ltd (Chris Minty) is also for 500 apartments, in 3 stages. It will be built on the D1 block beside the Albany Lakes reserve and also next to a proposed Woolworths supermarket. Platypus has consent for the 146-unit stage 1 and has unconditional agreements on about half. The supermarket is expected to be built in the next 12 months.

:banana:

Leasehold highrise apartment site on market

Symphony Projects Ltd has put its leasehold highrise apartment site in the Albany City Centre on the market, with consent for 503 units in place and a joint venture as a second sale option. After Rick Martin of Cornerstone Group Ltd bought the freehold on 44ha from Neil Developments Ltd for $250 million at the end of 2004, Symphony bought the perpetual leasehold interest. Buyers of units in subsequent developments acquire sublease interests. The 1.6ha site, designated A2 on the Albany City Centre plan, is at a high point beside the Northern Motorway, at 80 Don McKinnon Drive. It’s zoned business 11C – residential focus. Symphony is seeking expressions of interest by Wednesday 5 November, through Bayleys Real Estate Ltd.

The resource consent is for 2 highrise towers, one of 23 levels and the other of 29, on a 9-level podium. The towers will contain 398 apartments, the podium 105. Consent has also been granted for 920 parking spaces. The design provides for a range of living styles – courtyard as well as podium & tower – in a range from 1-4 bedrooms. It also includes a swimming pool, fitness centre, residential club, library, meeting room and a courtyard with cafés & shops. The proposition for a buyer of the leasehold on the site is:

*
a 21-year lease paying ground rent of 6.25% of freehold market value (assessed at the highest & best use of undeveloped land), with a 7-yearly review to market
*
a second 35-year term on the same ground rent and with the same rent reviews
*
turning into a lease in perpetuity.

The whole Albany City development area – including existing developments such as the North Harbour Stadium, Albany Mega Centre bulk retail area and Westfield NZ Ltd’s new shopping centre - contains 143ha in a triangle between State Highway 17, the Northern Motorway & Oteha Valley Rd. When the whole area is developed, projections are for a population of 10,000 and a workforce of 15,000. A second apartment development, The Foundry, already being marketed by Platypus (NZ) Ltd (Chris Minty) is also for 500 apartments, in 3 stages. It will be built on the D1 block beside the Albany Lakes reserve and also next to a proposed Woolworths supermarket. Platypus has consent for the 146-unit stage 1 and has unconditional agreements on about half. The supermarket is expected to be built in the next 12 months.

2 highrise towers, one of 23 levels and the other of 29, on a 9-level podium.
Can I pose the question and do I read this right...
23 + 9 = 32 and 29 + 9 = 38?
Are we looking at 32 and 38 floors or am I reading this wrong!? :)

Can I pose the question and do I read this right...
23 + 9 = 32 and 29 + 9 = 38?
Are we looking at 32 and 38 floors or am I reading this wrong!? :)

That is exactly how I read it ?? also, is the land for sale or are they going to build it and then lease it ?

advertised as being avaliable 2008 :cheers:

http://propertysearch.colliers.co.nz/property_images/24804_1.jpg

I very much doubt this will reading '08 - just shot up there and all there is, is an empty field, no machinery or earth works, nothing, nada, zip.

Must be waiting for Pre-commitment :cheers:
I very much doubt this will reading '08 - just shot up there and all there is, is an empty field, no machinery or earth works, nothing, nada, zip.

Running on 5 hours sleep. So finding my fingers tripping over each other a lot! :nuts:

More pics of the Foundry :cheers:
http://archaus.co.nz/index.php?doThumb=1_1176245882.jpg__699__283__t__80
http://archaus.co.nz/index.php?doThumb=1_1176245928.jpg__699__283__t__80
http://archaus.co.nz/index.php?doThumb=1_1176246023.jpg__699__283__t__80
http://archaus.co.nz/index.php?doThumb=1_1176245846.jpg__699__283__t__80

Great finds today :cheers: Gees there are alot of Apartments there , looks better in some renders than others :)

hehe lol
Dont worry, Ive still got more to post, but I wont bother 2day!

^^ Did you get those Foundry pics off the website, I don't remember seeing them the other day, looked at the fly-through though that was cool :)

Btw akash, you go to Papatoetoe High right ? I went there, left in 2004 :)

I got them off www.archaus.co.nz
Yep! I do go to Pap High, but how did you know?

I got them off www.archaus.co.nz
Yep! I do go to Pap High, but how did you know?

Thanks, and you said you went to P.H.S on another thread, so I'm not stalking you :lol:

Oh! lol so who was ur form teacher?

Mr Leaning O5, is he still there do you know ?

yea he is still there
Mr Haigh is retiring at the end of this year after 29 years

oh and House names have changed too
Red: Pohutukawa House
Blue: Kauri House
Gold: Kowhai House
Green: ?? cant remember lol

Did anybody buy the NZ Herald today ? they had renders of the two towers in Albany ... I think that they are gorgeous and I am sure that we will see them from downtown Auckland ;)

can scan the pic please! :)

can scan the pic please! :)

I saw it at the coffee bar just before I went to see "Elizabeth - the golden age" and then I forgot to buy it :bash: ... I hope that somebody did ...

GOT it :cheers:

http://www.pbase.com/enigma35/image/89055159.jpg

hmm very nice! We need some of those in the CBD!

GOT it :cheers:

http://www.pbase.com/enigma35/image/89055159.jpg

That would be GREAT!
Love stuff like that out in the city fringes.

:banana:

:banana:

^^ Those look awesome. Im impressed:cheers:

HOORAY! Good things come in pairs, such as tennis shoes and promiscous twin cheerleaders, and twin towers are no expection! They are just stunning! It looks like those buildings belong in Vegas! I hearby give them the official CLASSIC MAN SEAL OF APPROVAL! :banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

HOORAY! Good things come in pairs, such as tennis shoes and promiscous twin cheerleaders, and twin towers are no expection! They are just stunning! It looks like those buildings belong in Vegas! I hearby give them the official CLASSIC MAN SEAL OF APPROVAL! :banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

Does this mean I should now start to worry about the project since recieving your seal of approval? ;)

Did anyone else see the 28 page advertising feature for Albany in the Herald today??
It's got so much info. including pictures, maps, history of the area, business parks, office buildings, apartments...including the 2 towers which will be visible from the motorway! :banana:
Unfortunately, I havent got a scanner and cant put some of the pics on here...

Yes, it's massive. I can't scan though.

Thanks akash and MonsieurAquilone for the heads up. Got hold of that insert and went mad with the scanner. Here they come...

First the Albany central lakes (park) next to the West field.

These pic's I took a few weeks back...

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1484.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1486.jpg

and the scan of what it will become...

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/Lake.jpg

All the Albany developments...

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/ResizeofCCF05122007_00003.jpg

And what everyone has been waiting for - the twin towers :)

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/ResizeofCCF05122007_00002.jpg

IT DOES SAY RESOURCE CONCENT GRANTED FOR THESE 503 APARTMENT TOWER BLOCKS
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

To be located on Don McKinnon Drive at the highest point of Albany with views to Auckland CBD and Rangitoto.

23 and 29 levels aimed at the high end buyers.

http://www.planningnetwork.co.nz/images/NewImage.JPG

Shit, imaging cruising over the Lonely Track Hill into Auckland, and smack bang in your face are these!!! OMG if I had panties on I'd be wetting them :)!

Another of the Gateway development - if it wasn't such a crappy day I'd go get some snaps of the progress! But intending to jog up to SH18 - priorities :)

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/ResizeofCCF05122007_00004.jpg

And the new 3600 sq m 3 level office building (each at 1196 sq m) on Corinthian Drive, now leasing.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/ResizeofCCF05122007_00005.jpg

This area needs a good, honest office tower. Enough of these low rise office parks.

Anyway, thanks for scanning those pages Kane. Most interesting.

Hells bells - THANKS Kane ... that is very, very exciting. I have also heard that a new public library and cinema complex will be built near the bus station ;) ... an entire new city. I just wish that the architecture would be more "experimental" (the towers are awesome though) but I guess that they are playing it "safe" ... the Albany area must be swarming with nimby's ;)

http://www.planningnetwork.co.nz/images/NewImage.JPG
I thoght it was going to be only 2 towers?? :nuts:
Oh Well...3 is even better! :banana:

Actually your right, akash. Earlier plans of Albany had 3 towers, that little render has 3 but the article with the big picture only 2. Damn there is just no information or links out there.

The original plan was for 3 towers but it looks as if they have scaled it down :( ... I hope that I am wrong.

^^ Yeah 3 would be better

This area needs a good, honest office tower. Enough of these low rise office parks.

Anyway, thanks for scanning those pages Kane. Most interesting.

Ill say.. Enough sprawl! Love the twins tho theyr superb:cheers:

Think they are new LOL

Heritage East West Apartments ......

http://www.proarch.co.nz/e107_plugins/content/images/image/thumb_20_heritage_ew_2.jpg

The Foundry ....settlement is mid 2009, so would be starting soon :cheers:

http://www.thefoundryalbany.co.nz/images/home_banner.jpg

New hotel in Albany, Auckland
Thursday, 14 February 2008, 5:00 pm
Press Release: International Hotels Group (via Scoop (http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0802/S00235.htm))

IHG and Albany City Property Investments announce new hotel in Albany, Auckland

Holiday Inn Albany to be first international hotel for Albany

Albany City Property Investments Limited (ACPIL) is delighted to announce the construction of a new international hotel in Albany, Auckland following an agreement between IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) and ACPIL.

The first stage of a proposed 230-room Holiday Inn hotel is planned for the 43 hectare commercial, residential, retail and leisure development in Albany, which is situated on the North Shore, and approximately 15 minutes drive from Auckland’s CBD. The first stage of the development comprises 150 rooms.

The Holiday Inn hotel will service both business and leisure guests, offering the smart design, friendly service and welcoming atmosphere Holiday Inn is renowned for.

The hotel will be developed and owned by ACPIL and will feature business and conferencing, dining and recreation facilities. Resource consent has been lodged and is expected to be granted in the first quarter of 2008. Construction is planned to commence shortly after the receipt of the Resource Consent.

In addition to a business centre and residential developments, Holiday Inn Albany will also service the nearby Massey University, MORE FM Tennis Park and 20,000-seat North Harbour Domain sport and entertainment stadium and the extensive North Harbour and Apollo Drive business areas. Albany is expecting to attract more than 15,000 office workers and more than 6,000 people to the precinct in the next 10 years.

Albany City Development Limited General Manager Gary Noland says the establishment of an internationally-branded hotel is a valuable addition to the overall Albany development.

“Our aim is to establish a world-class business precinct. For international companies to base their country operations here we need to offer recognisable facilities to match their expectations. Of the different hotel operators and brands we considered, IHG was the best potential partner to help capture that attention.

“Holiday Inn is a hotel brand with proven appeal to business travellers and, with IHG’s demonstrated ability to drive premium returns on its managed assets, is well suited with what we’re looking to achieve with the commercial development in Albany,” Mr Noland says.

The planned hotel will join Holiday Inn Wellington – the first new hotel to be built in the capital in over 15 years, which opened in 2007 – and Holiday Inn on Avon and Holiday Inn City Centre, both in Christchurch.

IHG chief operating officer Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, Keith Barr says: “The Albany development is another example of a perfect location for the Holiday Inn brand. It’ll be the second purpose-built Holiday Inn hotel in New Zealand following the opening of Holiday Inn Wellington, which offers a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the brand’s positioning and potential in New Zealand.”

“The Holiday Inn brand presents a strong proposition for hotel owners in New Zealand. Its offering of dependability, friendly service, modern facilities and excellent value attracts both business and leisure travelers and, with a growing network of hotels in popular locations across Australia and New Zealand, the brand performs at a premium to market in this region. It’s also the world’s largest mid-scale hotel network with 1,370 hotels and 254,912 rooms, with more than 341 hotels currently in the pipeline .

“This agreement is another step toward increasing the presence of the Holiday Inn brand in New Zealand, which we intend to do by working with the right partners in the right locations,” Mr Barr added.

More information on the Albany developments can be found at www.albanycity.co.nz or www.acproperty.co.nz

^^ Very clever of them .... we can expect more to follow their example.

Not Special in design ....but I guess another Tower Crane for Albany :cheers:

http://www.colliers.co.nz/CosmosAssets/Cosmos.Media/Media/11217.jpg

Mm and maybe I can be resident on the ground updater I often visit the building next door :banana:

Is that on the street with all the tyre marks all over it? Near the District Court?

I think its the south side of the Northridge ridge. Courthouse is over the rise, to the right.

Albany development programme continues, and leasehold rents hold up

http://www.bdcentral.co.nz/webfiles/BobDeyProperty/layouts/images/header_propbd.gif
Published 1 August 2008

In a climate where development is becoming a forgotten word, work is continuing on a range of projects to keep momentum going at Albany City. Development manager Gary Noland said this week the project was a long-term one, so the current downturn in financial markets did not necessarily have direct effect. The development company Albany City Investments Ltd is a joint venture between Symphony Group Ltd (which bought the leasehold over the whole 44ha from Rick Martin’s Cornerstone Group Ltd after it bought the freehold from Neil International Ltd at Christmas 2004), Auguste Holdings Ltd (owned by St Laurence’s principals, Kevin Podmore & Mike O’Sullivan) & listed Australian property investor Valad.

Mr Noland said Albany City had one floor left to lease in the first, speculative building in the business centre at the southern end of the development site. The top floor has been leased to Zeald.com on a 9-year lease. Across the other side of the development zone, the company has resource consent for the Gateway building site nearest the park ‘n ride and will lodge a consent application for the other corner of the Gateway soon. Between those 2 building lots, a 22,000m² bulk retail development under construction for the ING Property Trust is due for completion by Christmas.

Excavations have been completed for a 230-room Refresh Holiday Inn hotel near North Harbour Stadium, to be built in 2 stages, and a 7-storey retirement village containing 228 units is scheduled for an adjoining site. Also in that central section of the site, ABC’s childcare centre is being fitted out for opening in September. Beside the Northern Motorway, south of the park ‘n ride and north of the business centre, a highrise apartment site has been on the market for several months, either as a full takeout or as a joint-venture. Mr Noland said Albany City was talking to an overseas buyer who would buy both the planned apartment towers, intended to take about 500 residents.

In the same block, the development company will lodge its consent application soon for a retail & office block. Mr Noland said that despite the state of the financial markets and slowdown in property development, leasehold office space at Albany had been leased at close to rents in the new Northbridge development & nearby Rosedale in the wider Albany area. “The new-builds now are over $300/m² and Rosedale is around $295-300/m². We’re getting $292/m² net on leasehold. The difference from past leasehold arrangements, and an incentive to occupy this kind of property, is that the ground rent is $20/m² and it gets increased at CPI plus 1% a year. There’s no highest-&-best-use clause - that’s the way we’ve taken the uncertainty out of it.”

As other developers wind down, Albany gets moving


http://www.nbr.co.nz/sites/all/themes/nbr/images/bg-newspaper-top.gif
Wednesday August 13 2008 - 10:34am



http://www.nbr.co.nz/files/article-images/albany_development.jpg

In a climate where development is becoming a forgotten word, work is continuing on a range of projects to keep momentum going at Albany City. Development manager Gary Noland said the project was a long-term one, so the current downturn in financial markets did not necessarily have a direct effect. The development company Albany City Investments is a joint venture between Symphony Group (which bought the leasehold over the whole 44ha from Rick Martin's Cornerstone Group after it bought the freehold from Neil International at Christmas 2004), Auguste Holdings (owned by St Laurence's principals, Kevin Podmore and Mike O'Sullivan) and listed Australian property investor Valad.

Mr Noland said Albany City had one floor left to lease in the first, speculative building in the business centre at the southern end of the development site. The top floor has been leased to Zeald.com on a nine-year lease. Across the other side of the 44ha development zone, the company has resource consent for the Gateway building site nearest the park 'n ride and will lodge a consent application for the other corner of the Gateway soon. Between those two building lots, a 22,000sq m bulk retail development under construction for the ING Property Trust is due for completion by Christmas.

Excavations have been completed for a 230-room Refresh Holiday Inn hotel near North Harbour Stadium, to be built in two stages, and a seven-storey retirement village containing 228 units is scheduled for an adjoining site. Also in that central section of the site, ABC's childcare centre is being fitted out for opening in September. Beside the Northern Motorway, south of the park 'n ride and north of the business centre, a high-rise apartment site has been on the market for several months, either as a full takeout or as a joint-venture.

Development manager Gary Noland said Albany City was talking to an overseas buyer who would buy both the planned apartment towers, intended to take about 500 residents. In the same block, the development company will lodge its consent application soon for a retail and office block. Mr Noland said that despite the state of the financial markets and slowdown in property development, leasehold office space at Albany had been leased at close to rents in the new Northbridge development and nearby Rosedale in the wider Albany area.

"The new-builds now are over $300 a square metre and Rosedale is around $295 to $300 a square metre. We're getting $292 a square metre net on leasehold, with the ground rent $20 a square metre. "The difference from past leasehold arrangements, and an incentive to occupy this kind of property, is that the ground rent is $20 a square metre and it gets increased at CPI plus 1 per cent a year. There's no highest-and-best-use clause - we've taken the uncertainty out of it."

It would be nice to see some sort of short distance public transport loop system linking the Busway, Westfield, Stadium, Megascentre and University. They are quite a distance from each other and some sort of Monorail, lightrail or tram, could work really well. I can see this area being a traffic nightmare (much like Wairau Park can be at times) in the next couple of years.

Is this area going to be eventually around the same size as the Auckland cbd?^^

^^ No way, and it's fearly flat too boot. It's not that far to walk from the busway to the other locales. Plus should aid in fitting the obesity pandemic and the hydrocarbon addiction!

I am referring to the posts a while ago which said the total area would be around the size of the Auckland cbd. Don't know whether it may have just meant Queens Street and part of the central hub. A monorail or lightrail would be relatively inexpensive to setup I would have thought particularly if it is a smaller network, like in this area.^^:cheers:

^^ No way, and it's fearly flat too boot. It's not that far to walk from the busway to the other locales. Plus should aid in fitting the obesity pandemic and the hydrocarbon addiction! I would say it's a good 10-15 minute walk from the Busway to the Megacentre, further for the University. There also isn't any coverage from the elements for the pedestrians, and in a place like Auckland where it does tend to rain from time to time, this will be seen as off putting. Humans are generally lazy by nature and a good little public transport network would work wonders.

A well made, protected, and interesting walkway would encourage a pedestrian link between the mall and the busway station. However, I doubt there are ever plans for this to exist. With encouraging walking, it's often not so much the distance which is the issue, but more the quality of the walk.

I was always a little sceptical of Albany's long term potential but it is absolutely surging isn't it. Great to see. A satellite CBD rising before our eyes. The lakes are a great addition to compliment the stadium nearby.

Agree on both points re light rail loop and pedestrian facilities.

what happened to those albany twin towers .They are on the jasmax website .the really are looking good in those renders.Sumthing like that would look nice in the Auckland cbd.

Platypus makes new application for bigger Albany apartment complex

Published 21 January 2009

Jurisdiction: North Shore



Neighbourhood: Albany



Applicant: Platypus Albany Residential Ltd (Chris Minty, Remuera)



Application detail: 25 Don McKinnon Drive, application to build 178 apartments, a convenience shop/café an amenity building with a gym & recreation facilities, a lap pool and basement parking. Platypus applied for consent in 2006 for a 146-apartment complex at the same site.



Notification date: 16 January



Submission closure date: Monday 16 February



Other details: Mr Minty is a director of Platypus Group Ltd & Platypus companies for Acacia Bay, Albany, Quay Park & Stonefields, Cimit Ltd, Marsden Road Developments Ltd, Marsden Road Investments Ltd, Neuhaus Stonefields Stage 1 Ltd (& Stage 2), Pacific Advisory & Management Ltd, Parawera Terraces Ltd, Patroon Corp Ltd, South Pacific Apartments Ltd, Sport & Recreational Developments Ltd, The Homestead 2006 Ltd, was a director of 1980s property company Chase Group Ltd in its dying stages, and of related companies, and is a former director of Symphony Group Ltd.:cheers:

[QUOTE=Marky Mark;31048098]Platypus makes new application for bigger Albany apartment complex

Published 21 January 2009

Jurisdiction: North Shore



Neighbourhood: Albany



Applicant: Platypus Albany Residential Ltd (Chris Minty, Remuera)



Application detail: 25 Don McKinnon Drive, application to build 178 apartments, a convenience shop/café an amenity building with a gym & recreation facilities, a lap pool and basement parking. Platypus applied for consent in 2006 for a 146-apartment complex at the same site.



Notification date: 16 January



Submission closure date: Monday 16 February



Other details: Mr Minty is a director of Platypus Group Ltd & Platypus companies for Acacia Bay, Albany, Quay Park & Stonefields, Cimit Ltd, Marsden Road Developments Ltd, Marsden Road Investments Ltd, Neuhaus Stonefields Stage 1 Ltd (& Stage 2), Pacific Advisory & Management Ltd, Parawera Terraces Ltd, Patroon Corp Ltd, South Pacific Apartments Ltd, Sport & Recreational Developments Ltd, The Homestead 2006 Ltd, was a director of 1980s property company Chase Group Ltd in its dying stages, and of related companies, and is a former director of Symphony Group Ltd.:cheers:[/QUOTe

what is the height of this proposed building ?

I'm curious to see more about this. It's a shame that NSCC doesn't post full AEE details of notified consent application on their website. It's something that a few councils do these days, and it makes life a whole heap easier.

Would be nice if its one of these ....from a Previous Post :cheers:

http://www.planningnetwork.co.nz/images/NewImage.JPG

Jarbury.
There is a distinct pedestrian link between the the Albany mall and the bus station. It has always been planned and will be fairly good quality walk - 500m. If you go out the back entrance by the food court.. cross the ped crossing over the lake then the path across the mud/lawn and along the new link road to the bus station.
Hopefully as development continues this will be more obvious and become a well worn path.