^^True, but i mean this is such a nice building that i'd want it in the CBD instead.

But wouldn't it therefore be better out in the burbs so its nice-ness isn't obstructed by other tall towers?

Takapuna, isn't exactly the 'burbs'. Its a CBD for the CITY of North Shore - population 200,000 + - or if you like, a mini CBD. Actually there aren't that many other cities bigger than North Shore City, in New Zealand.

Takapuna, isn't exactly the 'burbs'. Its a CBD for the CITY of North Shore - population 200,000 + - or if you like, a mini CBD. Actually there aren't that many other cities bigger than North Shore City, in New Zealand.

Not for long, Albany going to be the new CBD for North Shore. :nuts: :lol:

Takapuna, isn't exactly the 'burbs'. Its a CBD for the CITY of North Shore - population 200,000 + - or if you like, a mini CBD. Actually there aren't that many other cities bigger than North Shore City, in New Zealand.
Quite. Only 3 to be precise- Auckland, Christchurch and Manukau, in that order.

Quite. Only 3 to be precise- Auckland, Christchurch and Manukau, in that order.

Not for long, Manukau City will take the first place.:lol:

^^God I hope not. Manukau can hardly even call itself a city, its so disparate its not funny.

I would agree with that, and the good thing about amalgamation of the city councils is Auckland will become the city, as it should.

I hate it how we have to refer to: Oh North Shore city only has blah blah and Waitakerie etc.

1.4mn FOR AUCKLAND

^^That's so tru, i wait for the day when it is so..

Yes I know its better that way but when us Shore people want to have Skyscrapers then the North Shore can be its own city, all other times its part of Auckland 1.4m lol

8 NOV 2006


http://ct.pbase.com/g6/07/617107/2/69894302.mB9cikXr.jpg


30 JAN 2007


http://www.pbase.com/enigma35/image/73744906.jpg

Its smokin upwards! Isn't it!

its going to look great when finished, and i prefer it where it is - it will add another dimension to the takapuna skyline when you come across the bridge - a bit like nth. sydney - but much better of course!

I was driving down Hustmere Road towards it yesturday just before the sun went down, and it looks darn cool towering above all the people going out to the restaurants. If only there were a few more I was thinking.

There are rumors of another tower on the old mill site, plus a number of 5-10 story apartment complexes towards KFC, and the 5-10 tower office blocks over in Smale's Farm!

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1020211large.jpg

^^ Wow it lookin so tall! :shocked:
I think it's about 3/5 now.:)

I think cullwalla would agree!

Nice building but is Takapuna a nice place?? from the pic it looks like 1 - 2 level 70's crap sprawl apart from a few nice tall buildings like the Spencer on Byron.

I think cullwalla would agree!

Yep

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/9067/aucklandfeb1ux6.jpg

Seaside side of Takapuna consists of multi million $ mansions. Westside consists of a sprinkling of more modest homes, but they are being overtaken with Apartments, commercial developments.

Sunday 2007/02/04 some different perspectives on the progress thus far.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/2007_0204Image0261.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/2007_0204Image0360.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/2007_0204Image0364.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/2007_0204Image0377.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/2007_0204Image0380.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/2007_0204Image0390.jpg

I'd now say, she's the tallest building north of Auckland CBD. Not much longer and she'll become the tallest outside of the Auckland CBD.

WOW - I love the first pic - it just goes to show how leafy Auckland is - beautiful !

I always believed that Auckland should have got the title - Garden City.
It really is one big garden. Not the artificial manicured sought, but the wild jungle al naturale.

Wow she is going up nicely... lookin good :)

I always believed that Auckland should have got the title - Garden City.
It really is one big garden. Not the artificial manicured sought, but the wild jungle al naturale.

Wow great pics!!!! And Yes I totally agree with you!

Todays (2007/02/05) North Shore Times.

Sentinel currently at 22 floors. Rising 1 floor per week!:banana:
Now the tallest building on the North Shore.

Should be totally complete by December 2007. Currently 20 days (or 2.9 floors) ahead of schedule.:banana: :banana:

Could have been further ahead but the crane can't work in the occasional strong winds.

One Floor per week is pretty goond considering it includes Cladding :)

Latest pic today I grabbed from Sulfur Point while endeavoring to capture the Queen Mary II.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/2007_0217Image0141.jpg

Nice mate, looking good!

Look at those heat waves, its a schorcher today!

lookin gooood :)

Went fishing, caught some pictures only:

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1020398.JPG

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1020404.JPG

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1020406.JPG

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1020408.JPG

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1020413.JPG

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1020414.JPG

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1020415.JPG

Super nice mate! Cool sunset to boot:cheers:

WOW!

ben ben ben oi oi oi!

Golden glory!

Nice mate!:)

thanks for those ben

hmm i think thats about 30 floors to the top of the core. so with the spire it will be a high tower

Developer's grand Takapuna tower almost ready for residents
5:00AM Monday March 12, 2007
By Anne Gibson


Rick Martin has yet to get any takers for the Sentinel's penthouse suite, for which his Cornerstone Group is asking $10 million. Photo / Greg Bowker
The last big Auckland apartment block going up in the current round of development activity is nearing completion, as a team of builders climbs towards the 30th level.

Multiplex Construction is putting up the new $125 million Sentinel at Takapuna and has built the tower's central core structure up to level 26.

But developer Rick Martin of Cornerstone Group is yet to get the $10 million he is asking for the luxury penthouse suite.

He said he had 16 units left to sell and Multiplex was running about a month ahead of schedule.

He was wary of tackling another job of the Sentinel's scale, saying he took a huge risk buying the land without having resource consent for the giant tower.

This round of development activity started around 2001 and reached a peak about two years ago.

Auckland developers who had been putting up about 2000 new units a year have scaled back their workloads, citing steep new council levies, difficult planning laws and less demand as some of the factors that have dampened their appetite.

Jason Jones, Cornerstone's general manager, said the median sales price for Sentinel units was $1 million.

The 117-unit tower will open in December.

Some Sentinel units have sold more than once, Jones said, because buyers had changed their plans.

Units that fetched around $900,000 originally had re-sold for more than $1 million.

http://media.apn.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/12RickMartin.jpg

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1020648.jpg

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1020646.jpg

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1020645.jpg

^^^ WOW sweety - fanny-tastic pics. Taks is growing up nicely.

Thank you sweets

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/76077860.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/76077861.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/76077864.jpg

I was lucky enough to be taken up to the 22nd floor yesterday:

http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/2807/22ndbzi9.jpg

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/8445/22ndaxh9.jpg

And the 20th floor:

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/4513/20thchn9.jpg

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/8366/20thdmr2.jpg

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/1719/20thaue9.jpg

And various lower floors:

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/7278/loweraqd8.jpg

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/2824/lowerbnw3.jpg

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/9514/lowercyc4.jpg

Pity it wasn't a nicer day!

Great Photos and Views :cheers:

Thanks for the photos Sam, didn't know Takapuna was full of so much 70's crap. Im sure some more highrises will fix that! ;)

awesome

great updates. im just updating april diagram. has it topped out yet? maybe 28 in core?

Takapuna skyline 31/3/07

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/76416166.jpg

Grabbed this with my phone whilst at Edex Toys on Saturday.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1129.jpg

^^ Looks good, nice shot!

Aren't camera phones just the handiest things? lol.

Handy, definitely. Carry the phone everywhere, unlike the camera, so the convenience is unrivalled.

Though I am looking forward to upgrading beyond a 1.3 Mp.

Yes, but I think KF would disagree!

Yes but with him, its like... the camera is another appendage or body part. :)

Something as natural as our hands!

Come to think of it. Your camera may be assimilating with you as well. :)

^^ Sounds dirty Kane :lol:

But yes you are right, my camera is a pain to lug around!

:lol: Last 10,000 years or so we've had homo sapien sapien, but recently a few individuals have begun to evolve into homo camera obscura!:lol:

hehehe Guys I have to admit I never go anywhere without my camera and its most of the time around my neck just like a cool Auckland tourist or its in my right hand - switched on all the time, and I half press the shutter regularly just to keep it in a focal range and ready for action. I have everything preset and mainly shoot street photography in "P" mode - even on my 1D. ISO 400. That way my shutter speed will be high enough on a cloudy day to stop action, I don't have to think when I see something interesting - I just aim and shoot - sometimes without even looking through the viewfinder (sometimes the best shots).

The 1D weighs about 2.5 kgs with the 16-35 2.8 lens - so its not a light camera and its kinda large - and so is the lens - but its worth it. I get strange looks sometimes :banana:

Recently I have been having a lot of fun with a Panasonic FZ50 - which is extremely light - but not small. I shoot at 3mp which gives me a 21x Optical zoom (only uses the centre of the sensor giving a nice crop factor zoom) and I am getting some brilliant results.

:lol: Last 10,000 years or so we've had homo sapien sapien, but recently a few individuals have begun to evolve into homo camera obscura!:lol:

It's called the Borg


.....the next step
http://www.ebb.org/bkuhn/random-info/locutus-of-borg.jpg

"I am Locutus of Borg. Resistance is futile. Your life, as it has been, is over. From this time forward, you will service us."

But it wouldn't be too bad if there were a lot more "7 of Nines", largely in their "de-Borged" state! :)

Craigy's camera is his "wife" ... I have to fight the evil witch in order to get some attention !

Fabulous updates everybody - this development is well documented.

*slaps enigma* get back in the kitchen ****h! :bash: and bring me my camera!

*slaps enigma* get back in the kitchen ****h! :bash: and bring me my camera!

LOL - yes DADDY ;) you are supposed to be working ???

Miss you MADLY ! :hug:

LOL - yes DADDY ;) you are supposed to be working ???

Miss you MADLY ! :hug:

Good Boy! I'll sort you out when I get home! :lovethem:

:lol: Hehehe!

This must be what Coronation St is like?

LOL!:lol: Behave you two..hehe

LOL - it is GAYS OF OUR LIVES ;)

^^Haha, yea..sounds like it could be a good TV show.

^^ Or the BOLD & THE FRUTIFUL

http://www.timzunneberg.nl/images/daffyd.jpg

:lol: Hehehe!

This must be what Coronation St is like?

or the NZ version

Queen Street :lol:

Friday took this with the cell from the Berkeley Cinema.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/560A1139.jpg

^^It looks as though it's topped out, as floor plates have seemingly caught up with the core. Of course the 'architectural feature' on top is still to come so final height will be another 10-15m+

Topped out:

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1020827.jpg

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1020829.jpg

It just keeps rising and rising - I can't wait to see the top feature ... what a beautiful day we had today !!

Sentinel 12 May 07

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/78618709.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/78618701/medium.jpg http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/78618702/medium.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/78618703/medium.jpg http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/78618704/medium.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/78618705/medium.jpg http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/78618706/medium.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/78618707/medium.jpg http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/78618708/medium.jpg

Fantastic!! not long to go now, cant wait to see her finished!!! cheers kf :cheers:

any recent piccies?

Hmmmmm when was the last time I was here in SSC... oh well anyway...

Finally went to Auckland for a week long holiday (last week) and took a few pics here and there.... Will post some more pics of other buildings etc later on

Here are a couple of close ups of The Sentinel (Lookin nice and tall now :))

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/auckland%20trip/build1.jpg?t=1182765196

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mtb_nz/auckland%20trip/build2.jpg?t=1182765287

ooo its pretty

great shot, are they starting on t he tall section that has spire?

Yee gads, a gothic concrete monster from a Dr Who movie.

Anyways Brizzy has its own Gothic Monsters LOL best you keep your thoughts there Sunshine :cheers:

Yee gads, a gothic concrete monster from a Dr Who movie.

I received an e-mail from The Cornerstone group a couple of weeks ago, saying that the skirt will be coming off shortly and that work on the penthouse has begun. The penthouse I have since found out has been sold and the guy who bought it has also bought half the floor below for a total cost 0f $15,000,000

I received an e-mail from The Cornerstone group a couple of weeks ago, saying that the skirt will be coming off shortly and that work on the penthouse has begun. The penthouse I have since found out has been sold and the guy who bought it has also bought half the floor below for a total cost 0f $15,000,000:cheers:

any updates? just doing aug 1 diagram.

Hey, just an update cause I was in Takapuna yesterday

The final piece of skirting at the top has now been removed and you can see the shape of the penthouse. The Windows for the penthouse and the floor below are still to be installed.

Estelle who is selling the apartments tells me that completion is still on target for December with settlement in January. Looking at the work that still needs to be done on the exterior I would be surprised if they were finished by then, but what do I know!!

so is the cone section and spire up yet?

No, not yet.

You can see the stucture of the penthouse - if you stand some disance away.

Where you drive into the parking area, that part is now under cover and they have started work on the public areas. Also I'm told that the pool has been poured

Anyways Brizzy has its own Gothic Monsters LOL best you keep your thoughts there Sunshine :cheers:

Oh c'mon - don't be mean. I personally am not a huge fan of the tower either. It does stick out like a sore thumb rather at the moment.

^^
All the more reason to add a couple more 35+ towers nearby.
Then we will have a proper little skyscraper enclave on the Shore.....

^^ Would be nice. Merge will be a nice add. is it just me or hav the forums been pretty quiet lately? Kind of airy feeling round here atm lol

^^ yea its been very quiet! wonder why!

mm strange.. is there nothing happening in Auckland? LOL

Oh no - there is plenty happening in Auckland! I also agree with you totally, build up in Takapuna! It could become a fantastic little second CBD. Then Sentinal would blend in really well.

Yea it has been abit quiet on the forums. I've been pretty busy lately, as I guess others have. Mite go and get some update pics in the weekend.

I have also been fucking busy and partying like crazy - we are going clubbing AGAIN tonight which means that I will be out of action this weekend ....

I have also been fucking busy and partying like crazy - we are going clubbing AGAIN tonight which means that I will be out of action this weekend ....

Syd are you now living in Beaumont Quarter?

Syd are you now living in Beaumont Quarter?

Yes I am ... I look into your office ;)

Yes I am ... I look into your office ;)

Lucky you :lol:

Our thriving hub of activity...

Tycoon pays $11m for penthouse but complains about NZ taxes
NZ HERALD - 5:00AM Tuesday September 04, 2007
By Anne Gibson

Mike Panjwani - who has business interests in New Zealand, India, Singapore, Europe and Dubai - has bought levels 29 and 30 of the Sentinel apartment block in Takapuna. Mr Panjwani has bought the apartment unconditionally, but will not be moving in until early next year because the property is a shell. Speaking from Singapore yesterday, Mr Panjwani said he might only spend a few weeks a year in the penthouse. "We don't know how much time we're spending there. My family can't afford to spend months in New Zealand. The taxes are very high." Some Sentinel units have sold more than once, and units that fetched around $900,000 originally had resold for more than $1 million.

The 117-unit tower will open in December. The two penthouse levels are connected via an internal staircase. The unit was sold with a dedicated lift, four basement carparks, lap pool, spa and large glass-walled decks. Barfoot & Thompson agent Wayne Muir, who acted for Mr Panjwani, said the businessman was impressed with the seaside suburb. "He sees Takapuna as a premiere urban seaside location and was impressed by the quality and location of the Sentinel." The penthouse is yet to be fitted out, but will have a combination of bespoke hand-crafted carpet and natural stone flooring. Apartment walls will be able to be moved, and the apartment will include a home theatre, motorised window treatments, gas fireplaces, underfloor heating and large deck areas.

Mr Panjwani has owned a house in St Marys Bay, central Auckland, for a number of years. Two years ago, he sold a collection of large Auckland investment buildings worth more than $25 million through his company Empress Leisure to apartment specialist Blue Chip. The sale means property developer David Henderson's Princes Wharf apartment is now the most expensive penthouse on the market. That apartment, which went on the market earlier this year and was tipped to fetch $10 million, remains unsold. The apartment occupies the entire top level of the Princes Wharf block above the Hilton Hotel. Businessman Colin Giltrap is understood to have set the previous apartment price record for a penthouse in Lighter Quay's North, on Auckland's waterfront. Mr Giltrap previously lived for about 20 years in a Herne Bay waterfront home that he sold four years ago for $7.2 million.

MILLION-DOLLAR DREAMS

*
Most expensive apartment for sale: $10 million Princes Wharf penthouse owned by property developer David Henderson.

*
Most expensive house (not for sale): Graeme and Robyn Hart's sprawling $20 million Glendowie mansion.

*
Most expensive property for sale: Pakatoa Island, Hauraki Gulf, $35 million, owned by businessman John Ramsey of Crusader Meats.

*
Next most expensive: Cowes Bay estate on Waiheke Island, $30 million, 36ha with 1200sq m plantation-style mansion

^^ It makes me laugh. He can afford an 11m penthouse but then complains about taxes. I think he should quit moaning

lol yea, what a moaner! Crikey :ohno:

If you go to The Sentinal website there is a new link there "srsc"

If you click on the link and where it asks for e-mail address type srsc and where it asks for password type in lifestyle there is a little more info. Most of it we already know but it is a site in progress so when updates become available it should be mentioned here first.

Nastrond

From the viaduct today, I could see the "crown" had been raised onto the tower. Does anyone have any photos?

Dont have any photos atm but yeah they're getting stuck into the 'cap' its starting to take shape nicely

If I remember my camera I will get one, it looks cool atm

Nearly There!

It's a yucky day, but the Sentinel shines. Looks awesome!

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/P1040295.JPG

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/P1040297.JPG

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/P1040303.JPG

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/P1040305.JPG

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/P1040306.JPG

Nice man! :eek:

Brilliant shots mate :) Its looking very cool

:banana: :cheers:

oh it looks fantastic!

FANNY-TASTIC Ben .. thanks for those. She really looks TAAAAAAALL, especially when you come over the rise of Harbour Bridge and there she is - so in your face. She is a beauty !

I find the Sentinel a very attractive and graceful building when viewed from a distance. But up close I'm finding her less so - at the moment. Maybe a tad too boxy.

I find the Sentinel a very attractive and graceful building when viewed from a distance. But up close I'm finding her less so - at the moment. Maybe a tad too boxy.

Agreed, it is what puts me off her too. Plus the street level area around there isn't the most glamourous either... Perhaps once it opens the surrounding streets will be done up.

From a distance though, it's a pretty nice skyscraper if a little monolithic.

Agreed, it is what puts me off her too. Plus the street level area around there isn't the most glamourous either... Perhaps once it opens the surrounding streets will be done up.

From a distance though, it's a pretty nice skyscraper if a little monolithic.

I love the height and the glass ... the area around it is TERRIBLE but there are plans for a fabulous Square around The Sentinel and other buildings will be popping up in the area in the not-so-distant future. All in all the area is awful and it is so close to the worst street in New Zealand ..... forget the name now ... Barry something I think .... ooooh I feel ill just thinking about it ..... one of my NO-GO areas ;)

and it is so close to the worst street in New Zealand ..... forget the name now ... Barry something I think .... ooooh I feel ill just thinking about it ..... one of my NO-GO areas ;)

Barry's Point Road I think. Ridiculously ugly. :lol:

Barry's Point Road I think. Ridiculously ugly. :lol:

That's the one .... The North Shore City Council even declared it NZ's ugliest Road ...... :nuts: .... bring in the bull-dozers !!

whats wrong with it??...the motorway??

whats wrong with it??...the motorway??

The street is lined with hideous warehouses that look like shacks and there is very little landscaping. The only good thing there is the Car-fe and Foodtown ;)

ohhh....sounds like a lot of streets in Manukau then!

ohhh....sounds like a lot of streets in Manukau then!

This is worse :lol:

The other good thing about Barry's pt rd are the 3 bike stores on it.

Was a god send when I used to work in Taka's and cycle to/from Birkenhead for work. Great for repairs to tyres and other parts! :)

The other good thing about Barry's pt rd are the 3 bike stores on it.

Was a god send when I used to work in Taka's and cycle to/from Birkenhead for work. Great for repairs to tyres and other parts! :)

Go and read the Christchurch Transport thread ... you have been cordially invited ;)

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1040452.jpg

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1040453.jpg

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1040455.jpg

^^^ Gorgeous Ben ... Thanks

LOL Doesnt that House / Unit look out of Place .:lol:

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/P1040452.jpg

^^^ It is hideous but probably worth loads of cash ;)

Definitely rented - ya can tell from the lack of upkeep :(

Definitely rented - ya can tell from the lack of upkeep :(

Or ????? :|

Years ago when I used to work in Takapuna, I had a job that over the summer months I'd go and have lunch on the beach, get a short swim in and half an hour drying in the sun. During those times I'd fantasise about pulling Takapuna down and rebuilding her from the ground up.

It's all wrong. Such a marvellous beach and the town has ostracised it!

Yucky gravel car parks, like the arse end of the shops and then the beach. Total fuck up.

I'd fill them in with low rise cafes, restaurants, bars, other eateries facing the water. A pedestrian boulevard, then the park and beach!

Hurstmere Rd - Fucken trench it. The takapuna car park behind the Berkeley, underground multilevel it with shops on top.

A wharf and ferry terminal out from that fuggly boat ramp.

BULDOZE Barrys Point rd and replace it with lots of these...
http://www.newsday.com/media/photo/2007-05/29977384.jpg

Years ago when I used to work in Takapuna, I had a job that over the summer months I'd go and have lunch on the beach, get a short swim in and half an hour drying in the sun. During those times I'd fantasise about pulling Takapuna down and rebuilding her from the ground up.

It's all wrong. Such a marvellous beach and the town has ostracised it!

Yucky gravel car parks, like the arse end of the shops and then the beach. Total fuck up.

I'd fill them in with low rise cafes, restaurants, bars, other eateries facing the water. A pedestrian boulevard, then the park and beach!

Hurstmere Rd - Fucken trench it. The takapuna car park behind the Berkeley, underground multilevel it with shops on top.

A wharf and ferry terminal out from that fuggly boat ramp.

BULDOZE Barrys Point rd and replace it with lots of these...
http://www.newsday.com/media/photo/2007-05/29977384.jpg

You are a man close to my heart :hug:

Great pics aucklandman. It's lookin grrrr8.

I agree totaly with Kane. Something has got to be done about Barry's Pt Rd. Simply awful.

Oh yea, and welcome back Ben. You've been a tad busy?

Thanks guys,

No I have been here, but yes I have been busy :)

Nice pics benno.
And yea i agree, something needs to be done with Barry's Point Rd! lol

The shops on Barrys Point road seem to be changing, ever since Foodtown has been renovated the shops have changed from everything being Panelbeaters to outlet, outdoor, cafes, and computer repair shops. It may get a makeover! Its just in an unfortunate position because that used to be the outskirts of Takapuna!! :lol:

Just some thoughts/personal observations about that Busway station at Akoranga. Yes, it will be fantastic for the students at AUT but I think it totally lacks proper pedestrian access to/from Takapuna proper. I mean the link road runs essentially into that pedestrian barrier of Barry's Pt Rd and from here into Takapuna is another 500 metres of petrol and diesel fumes.

Just no thought into moving workers and shoppers across to Takapuna. Oh yea you could take ANOTHER BUS but I'd much prefer a 1km walk. The walk way could even be covered to really make it special. And there is some lovely scenery and greenery along the route too!

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/taka1.jpg

That black line would be a good route, including a foot bridge across the estuary. But no. The NSCC can be such short sighted nimby's.

Your right about that being a horrible walk from Taka to the Busway, but the busway especially for the North Shore is not designed as a main route to the to centres that are already on the shore. It is, obviously, designed as a direct route from the stations to the CBD. The terminal will remain in Takapuna central and there will be buses every 10min from the busway to Takapuna, or direct buses to Takapuna will follow the busway onto Esmonde then go into Takapuna.

But the NSCC could have incorporated this into improving the aesthetics of the area. Making it more pedestrian friendly. Improving the peoples health and fitness.

Oh the potential, the possibilities!:bash:

I wonder if NSCC will buy the driving range one day and build a park n ride... It's nicer as grass than it would be as a carpark. But a park n ride there would be very popular.

^^ No I use that driving range!

I would prefer to keep it green also.

I know. Bulldoze Barry's Pt Rd. :)

They'd have trouble converting it from a resource consent aspect anyway. At the moment I'm trying to get consent at Rosmini College for one job and it's a nightmare when it comes to flood paths and overland flow paths. Definitely need a better pedestrian connection between Takapuna and Akoranga Station.

http://www.pbase.com/enigma35/image/86748783.jpg

It really seems to epitomise its name now. Superb.

Here are a few of the Sentinel taken today

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/86749608.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/86749612.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/86749615.jpg

I wanted to see what she would look like with a chimney on top

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/86749618.jpg

I like the roof feature on this one, looks good.

I agree

Yea the roof feature looks really 'middle eastern' lol like the Burj Dubai...really cool!

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/87644160.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/87644155.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/87644157.jpg

So close! It's almost finished! When is it expected to open?

So close! It's almost finished! When is it expected to open?

First residents from floor 4 to 9 are to move in before Christmas. They will still be working on the penthouse into next year

Also I have been told that ther is another 30 story building to be built where the Mitre 10 car park is when this one is finnished. Mitre 10 is going to re-locate I was told the name of the building but can't remeber. I think it began with "B" This will be a mixture of commercial and residential

^^ Plus the Merge (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=210070&highlight=merge)! 3 30+'s in Taka's! :banana::banana::banana:

Holy shit, they'll start looking like the 3 musketeers!

First residents from floor 4 to 9 are to move in before Christmas. They will still be working on the penthouse into next year

Also I have been told that ther is another 30 story building to be built where the Mitre 10 car park is when this one is finnished. Mitre 10 is going to re-locate I was told the name of the building but can't remeber. I think it began with "B" This will be a mixture of commercial and residential

Thats the Merge im pretty sure

Thats the Merge im pretty sure

I'm pretty sure it is the merge. Got my "B's and "M"s mixed up. Anyway the builders said they would be starting with the Merge when the Sentinel was finnished which should be early next year

Luxury and space in high-rise living
Page 1 of 3 View as a single page 5:00AM Sunday October 28, 2007
By Gill South
Takapuna's Sentinel building.

http://media.apn.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/takapuna160.jpg

As investors continue to steer away from the Auckland apartment market, the property industry is designing a number of new developments for discerning owner-occupiers.

These owners want space, quality and service in their urban pads and are prepared to pay for it. And they are not so concerned with capital returns.

Strong demand is expected for Albert St's Stamford Residences - 149 freehold apartments being built above the Stamford Plaza Hotel.

Six two-storey loft apartments priced at $460,000 are likely to appeal to executives, says Kelland's Real Estate, which is marketing the 10-storey luxury development. The apartments, with their own entrance from the street, will range from these 55 sq m lofts to a 411 sq m penthouse. Prices will range from $460,000 to just under $6 million for the apartments which will have access to all the Stamford hotel facilities. Kelland's confirmed there is a waiting list for the apartments, which are due for completion next August.

Larry Murphy, head of the Property Department at the University of Auckland says the Auckland apartment market is moving towards quality as people are prepared to pay for improved lifestyle. They include "Generation Y" types who want to be close to work and where the action is. This renaissance of cities is happening globally, he says. "It is a cultural reaction to the city that is associated with lifestyle," says Murphy.

Sentinel, a 30-storey apartment block in Takapuna, on Auckland's North Shore, is aimed at the owner-occupier market, specifically baby boomers, says Ian Bensley, sales consultant for developer Cornerstone Group. And they don't want 30 sq m apartments, they want 80 sq m or 100 sq m with quality construction. A penthouse recently sold for $11m.

Of 115 apartments available, 103 have sold. The remainder cost between $695,000 and $2.5 million and range from 80 sq m to 180 sq m. People started buying three years ago and some have already sold, making good margins.

Property experts are encouraging first-home buyers, professional executives and empty nesters to look again at the apartment market.

About two-thirds of Auckland's apartments are owned by investors and it has been a rocky year for those in the lower end of the market. Values have dropped 25-30 per cent, says DTZ's research manager, Ian Mitchell. However, values of better-quality apartments have not dropped, he says.

Mitchell has noticed a trend for single professional women to buy apartments, as well as younger professional couples and growing numbers of empty nesters.

Mitchell says Auckland has to lose its reputation for building poky apartments and become closer to the Australian model, where apartments are more like a small house in a building.

I heard on Newstalk ZB they are having an open evening at the Sentinel tonite - you can view Auckland at nite from the top. You have to phone Cornerstone - which means you may have to buy a pent house apartment for 10 million first !:lol:

Lol sounds well worth forking out for

Heard the add for it on the radio - caught some of the number you need to ring 415 4490.

Does sound like a sales/marketing seminar.

The spire!

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/88328391.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/88328392.jpg

Woohoo. Good on you Sentinel.

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/88329109.jpg

^^ Hehe, I must have a dirty mind but that pic looks kind of rude :)

How does it look rude? Perhaps I'm just too innocent. ;)

Nice shots kf :) Its full height now!

http://photofile.ru/photo/gronoff/3262388/70009796.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/88744091.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/craigsyd/image/88744089.jpg

wow, how cool. stands out like rats testes.
cheers

Some of my recent shots that include the Sentinel...

From Saturday 02 Feb...

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/Public%20Transport/DSCN0077.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/Public%20Transport/DSCN0056_resize.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/Public%20Transport/DSCN0042_resize.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/Public%20Transport/DSCN0066_resize.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/Public%20Transport/DSCN0078.jpg

:cheers::cheers:

Looking impressive , now we just need Merge to keep her company :cheers:

Drove past the Sentinel yesterday. I like the weaving pattern near the very top of the building. That seems to have gone in quite recently.

^^Yes I saw Sentinel from the street on Saturday, quite impressive close up and I too like the weave pattern going on :)

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/ssc/DSC_0002.JPG

:cheers: Looking very good, a little bit to go, not sure if I like it from the other side tho

The top looks like weaved Flax :cheers:

Superb.

Beautiful crown and I love the floor to ceiling glass .... thanks Ben :)

If only Auckland had more buildings of this quality. You are right Sydney, that glass is stunning. So blue...

Looks great from the beach, btw. :)

Shore residents get all high and mighty
NZ HERALD - 5:00AM Wednesday February 13, 2008

The country's tallest new apartment tower is about to open as builders race to finish the luxury multi-level penthouse and swimming pool at the top. Three weeks before the opening of the $137 million 30-level Sentinel at Takapuna, the focus is on finishing the flashest place for Mike Panjwani, the businessman with interests in India, Singapore, Europe and Dubai. Panjwani paid $11.25 million for the top spot on levels 29 and 30, four carparks and another unit further down on level 28. All up, he paid $16.25 million and is expected to shift in next month. But other residents will probably move in before that because Panjwani's penthouse is still largely a building site, its northern face is yet to be closed in.

All the materials needed to complete his huge 675sq m penthouse - including steel stringers for the internal staircase, exterior glass and stacks of wallboard linings - were hoisted up to level 29 before the Sentinel's tower crane was dismantled. An average house is about 120sq m but the penthouse is about five times bigger and has an 8m internal stud height in the living areas. Rick Martin, Cornerstone's chief, said the tower would be the last significant high-rise apartment block to be completed in this phase of the construction cycle, before the downturn. He praised North Shore City for encouraging the project, which he first flagged in 2003. Cornerstone got approval on a non-notified basis because the local authority wanted a high-quality building like the Sentinel, he said.

Now that scaffolding has been pulled off the top of the building which is Takapuna's tallest, workers use the building's internal lifts. Jason Jones, Cornerstone's general manager, said handover of apartments on levels four to 24 would occur in the next week. Owners of the more expensive units on levels 25 to 27 would get possession shortly afterwards. Body corporate fees are $3000 to $25,000 annually. But not all has gone according to plan. Last October, people who parked near the site complained of paint and grit being blown onto their vehicles. Staff from builder Multiplex Constructions were faced with a clean-up task. Cornerstone hoped the block would be finished at the end of last year but weather interrupted. Jones said out of 200 days building the upper levels, 70 days were lost because of wet weather or high winds.

James Sheriff, Multiplex construction manager on the site, said the tower crane had to cease operating when the wind reached about 50km an hour. A few hours were lost on most days, he said, even when ground-level conditions seemed perfect. About 20 per cent of the site has been developed as public open area so Cornerstone could qualify for floor-area ratio bonuses to allow it to build so high. Although the block is not a hotel, it will be staffed by a 24-hour concierge at the front desk and have valet parking. Restaurants and bars at ground level open onto the north-facing courtyard and glass canopies have been built to deflect wind sheers off the tower's sides. Level four, the podium, is the Sentinel's communal area. It has a 25m by 6m heated swimming pool 1.8m deep, spa, sauna and gymnasium, landscaped area with cantilevered glass canopies and natural stone exterior cladding, three gas-fired outdoor fireplaces, three barbecue areas, extensive lawns, a running track and large pebble gardens.

Jones said the building had more than was required. "It's got three lifts when it only needed two. There's three barbecue/outdoor areas. The idea is that residents never need to wait for anything." Jones said only 10 of the 117 Sentinel apartments remain unsold. Martin, whoalso developed Orewa's controversial 12-level Nautilus, was asked what he thought was the most important news about the Sentinel. " How about, 'Developer lives through second high rise!"'

KEEPING WATCH

*
The 30-level Sentinel Tower is located between Huron and Northcroft Streets, in Takapuna.

*
Units cost between $645,000 and $11.25 million.

*
It was developed by Rick Martin's Cornerstone Group and built by Multiplex Constructions.

*
Residents move in this month and next.

GUIDING LIGHT ON THE SKYLINE

Architect Jaimie Simpkin, of Walker Architects, designed the Sentinel to be a dominant structure which glows like a lantern, so he kept all the corners of the building structure-free to enable the tower to take on a translucent-like quality, particularly at night. In a nod to that indigenous icon the flax basket, exterior metalwork and carpet were specially formed into a woven design. But the cube is the building's main design motif. Square shapes have been used in details from the imported light switches to edges of the handbasins, the shape of the cisterns and kitchen drawer handles.

Sentinel looks REALLY good!

Lit up, looking beautiful and georgeous

Excuse the quality I was drunk when I took these! And yea it looks amazing lit up in real life....

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/ssc/DSC_0550.jpg

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/ssc/DSC_0552.jpg

I noticed it was lit up last night from Birkenhead. Sure looks great. Nice pics.

:cheers:

:cheers:


At this moment in time, the only thing that looks good In Auckland is the road to the airport.......

At this moment in time, the only thing that looks good In Auckland is the road to the airport.......

:lol: Cheeky Bitch !

FANNYTASTIC pics Ben ... I am also loving The Sentinel :)

At this moment in time, the only thing that looks good In Auckland is the road to the airport.......

Sounds like you are down in the Dumps :ohno:

Sounds like you are down in the Dumps :ohno:

Not down in the dumps petal, just amazed at the latest slew of cancelled projects and slamming on of the brakes with regards to development in Auckland. It is all talk, talk, talk, talk and very little action. People are blind to the ramifications Banks' legacy will leave in 10-15 years time. This is the last thing Auckland needs now and Banks is the last person we need leading this city anywhere at the moment. tsk tsk.

Not down in the dumps petal, just amazed at the latest slew of cancelled projects and slamming on of the brakes with regards to development in Auckland. It is all talk, talk, talk, talk and very little action. People are blind to the ramifications Banks' legacy will leave in 10-15 years time. This is the last thing Auckland needs now and Banks is the last person we need leading this city anywhere at the moment. tsk tsk.

Is such a Shame , I can live with the Nimby's or who ever opposing Projects in their Precious Burbs , but when any Cities CBD is deterred from growing and developing , then thats a Major Mistake..........Future developers just won't bother :ohno:

Yea bloody good pics mate. Drunk? Hmm.

http://craigsyd.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p862039966.jpg

I hope that the crown lights up at night - a halo of blue will be awesome ;)

^^ Yea it does, its just white.

White? Thats so dull. Its a great looking building, why not top it off with a halo that changes colour every minute or so. Im sure Ive heard of that atop other buildings. red green blue orange yellow purple and then you can have white. That would draw attention to it, especially as it stands out there almost all alone (well not for too much longer) on the North Shore. Would look even more fantastic from all angles.

White? Thats so dull. Its a great looking building, why not top it off with a halo that changes colour every minute or so. Im sure Ive heard of that atop other buildings. red green blue orange yellow purple and then you can have white. That would draw attention to it, especially as it stands out there almost all alone (well not for too much longer) on the North Shore. Would look even more fantastic from all angles.

What a good idea. Could become a nice logaytion. :lol:

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u291/paulguerreroto/GAY.png

^^ Whoah. Maybe that colour choice of mine was a subliminally gay Freudian slip on my behalf. Wait a minute let me check...................... no im not gay. I remember you and GoluBoy mentioning someone Id never heard off on another thread, I google imaged his name and boy was I confronted!!!!! :eek: I will be more careful next time. :lol:

But yes, as I was saying. Colour would be good, its not a big additional cost but just would add that something extra you know.

You seem to have a fetish for chips, so, you never know...:lol: (I'll keep on topic now :))

http://data.realenz.co.nz/edi/OSLBARF001/photos/385457-1.jpg:cheers:

^^lol nice power bill for all the apartment owners.

http://data.realenz.co.nz/edi/OSLBARF001/photos/385457-1.jpg:cheers:

Serious waste of power. I hope that's just for testing and not a daily thing.

Nah nothing to worry about people, all new apartment towers have an 'all lights on' photo shoot. Helps to sell it to potential investors.

Looks great.

Everytime I come bak from Asia I always think our cities look so 'dark' at night. I'd love our skylines blinking, flashing, blaring out.

Preeeeeetty..... :cheers: