QUEEN'S WHARF | Under Construction

[lagavulin]

Originally Posted by KLK

I am a little sceptical about how a cruise terminal on QW - when in use - interacts with public access.

It will be an absolute travesty if the public are denied access when a cruise ship is berthed, for customs or security reasons. Most ships visit in the summer months - precisely when Aucklanders would want access to the new public space.

I hate the idea of a cruise ship terminal too. It's either in use, and the area is closed to the public, or it's not in use, and it sits empty and unused. It's a terrible idea to put a building like that on such an important piece of "land". It's just another example of PoA monopolising our waterfront. Hopefully the strike will put them out of business and Tauranga will take over completely

[Bealzebubbles]

I hate the idea of Queen's Wharf being the cruise ship terminal. Although I think a good design would be to have the customs and immigration halls on the 2nd floor with the ground floor as a loading zones. In winter the lower level could be used as a market. In summer the market could be moved to an outdoor location.

[drosophila]

I would prefer the cloud which is already showing its age be the terminal, using shed 10 for markets would add a lot more
Character to them than the sterile interior of the cloud.

[Bealzebubbles]

Originally Posted by drosophila

I would prefer the cloud which is already showing its age be the terminal, using shed 10 for markets would add a lot more
Character to them than the sterile interior of the cloud.

The ideal outcome would be reclad the shed in natural wood and glass. Put a market in the bottom and restaurants on the second floor with offices in the loft. Remove the cloud and landscape the western and northern tip into a park. The area directly in front of the shed and to the east of the ferry terminal is a bit of a weird area to deal with as you'd want to preserve site lines to the shed and park but you'd still want to provide a sheltered and preferably active route to the shed so the market doesn't get cut off during bad weather.

[IThomas]

Slug could become the new Te Papa

How boring of Christchurch Anglicans to splurge $5 million on a papier mache lookalike of their munted cathedral's nave. Instead of seeking solace in a temporary substitute for the real thing, a more charitable and practical use of the money would have been to fund temporary housing for refugees from the red zone.

Not that I'm begrudging them a central place of worship. We generous Aucklanders have already offered them a much more spacious alternative, going free - moving costs to be negotiated. Before the Rugby World Cup last year, Waterfront Auckland chairman Bob Harvey told Cantabrians the $9.3 million Queen's Wharf McCully Slug was theirs once its fanzone duties were completed. At the time, Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker called the gesture "inspired", saying it "could be the solution for some of the issues we are faced with".

That was in June. But a month or so later, he went all soft at the knees at the thought of celebrity Japanese architect Shigeru Ban adding Christchurch to his honour roll of disaster cities with a cardboard cathedral. With a new toy on offer, the Slug was forgotten.

Sitting alone at the end of Queen's Wharf, I'm sure it is still available to a good home for next to nothing. With seating for 6000 it also has plenty of room for congregational expansion - or division into a veritable tunnel of Babel, able to cater for every faith going. Still, if Christchurch doesn't want our Slug, another occupant now springs to mind. In recent days, the good burghers of the self-proclaimed culture capital of the land have given a royal two-finger salute to their big cultural drawcard, Te Papa, the national museum and art gallery.

Te Papa opened in 1998 at a cost to taxpayers of $317 million. Annual government funding has moved around a bit over the years, but in 2011 was $23.574 million, the same as 2010. In other words, Aucklanders pay around $8 million in taxes for the yearly running of Wellington's main museum/art gallery institution, and its biggest tourist drawcard. Wellingtonians, their taxes aside, begrudgingly pay a little additional "sponsorship" through their rates. But in recent days, as councillors look for ways to trim the annual budget, they zeroed in on the city's already token contribution to its golden goose.

This year, Wellington City contributed $2.25 million to Te Papa's costs, less than a third the amount Aucklanders contribute through their taxes. Wellington councillors have now slashed this to a miserly $1 million. Some wanted it chopped entirely. Te Papa's public servants have struck back with an unprecedented "Save our Services" campaign, with posters in the museum lobby threatening that Wellington "could miss out" and of "reduced services to Wellington ratepayers" if the grant was slashed.

Could I suggest that if Te Papa staff want to give the Wellington ingrates a real fright, they come north to check out the Slug, which is sitting here empty, available to a good tenant. It could be an emergency refuge for the national collection, away from the Philistines in the capital who obviously don't appreciate the treasure the rest of New Zealand has entrusted them with.

Museum Hotel owner Chris Parkin is of no doubts about the significance of Te Papa to the local economy. He told the local paper "Te Papa is Wellington's biggest tourist attraction by about a million miles". A just released economic impact report completed for the museum by Market Economics backs the hotelier's gut response. Referring to it as "a major tourist attraction" with "more than 50 per cent of all visitors to Wellington visit[ing] Te Papa" the report says it "plays a significant role in attracting domestic and international visitors to Wellington, and it's through this role that it makes a significant contribution to the Wellington and national economies".

Last year Te Papa spent $37 million with suppliers and paid $29 million in wages. Of this $38 million was spent in Wellington City and another $7.8 million in the rest of the region. On top of that was what tourists spent, the report estimating that "some $59 million of direct tourist spend can be attributed to Te Papa's presence". At the $2.25 million level of annual funding, Wellington ratepayers "are receiving a return on this contribution of almost $41 for every dollar of ratepayer money spent".

The report also points out that of Te Papa's 1.38 million visitors a year, 328,500 were Wellington City residents and a further 144,620 came from elsewhere in the region. In other words, Te Papa not only "plays a significant role in attracting domestic and international visitors to Wellington" and makes "a significant contribution to the Wellington" economy, but it is also a major cultural and entertainment hub for Wellingtonians. One they get on the cheap.

You'd think Wellington councillors would appreciate how lucky they are. But obviously they've suckled at the taxpayers' teat so long, they don't appreciate their good fortune. Good luck to Te Papa's campaign to shame Wellingtonians. And don't let them forget, the Slug is available.

[IThomas]

Plans unveiled for Shed 10

Design plans have been revealed for the proposed conversion of a heritage building on Auckland’s waterfront into a world class multi use cruise and events facility. Shed 10 on Queen’s Wharf, dates back to 1910 and was used for much of its life as a cargo shed for export and import goods. More recently it formed a key part of the festivities for the Rugby World Cup 2011 Fanzone on Queen’s Wharf. As a key economic development project in the Auckland Council 10 year budget (Long Term Plan) an innovative and adaptive refurbishment is planned at a revised cost of $14.6m, compared with an initial budget of $25m including gangway, design and preparation costs. The upgrade will transform Shed 10 into a unique venue for major and community events and offers improved processing facilities to capitalise on Auckland’s growing reputation as a hub port for visiting international cruise ships in the South Pacific. Forecast numbers for the 2012/2013 cruise season indicate a further 25 per cent increase in passenger numbers to approximately 214,000. In 2011/12 the cruise industry generated approximately $268m in direct spend into Auckland alone and provided around 1,550 jobs.

Shed 10 will be over 50% larger than the current cruise facility on Princes Wharf and is being designed to cater for cruise ships carrying up to 3,000 passengers and for events of up to 3,000 people. Council controlled organisation Waterfront Auckland is responsible for the delivery of the project. Chief Executive John Dalzell says the challenge has always been how to preserve the building’s history whilst upgrading it to accommodate a number of different uses. “Our team have worked with the designers, the cruise and events industries and heritage experts to come up with a design that captures the essence of this building and is fit for purpose from a functionality perspective.”

[GoluBoy]

Design plans have been revealed for the proposed conversion of a heritage building on Auckland’s waterfront into a world class multi use cruise and events facility.

Please excuse me.I feel a little sick,moment to puke,to ring my inner stomach of it's entire contents.To barf.Vomit, & otherwise throw reckless abandon to the aforesaid statement.

Personally, I'd use the existing cloud structure on Queens wharf to introduce Cruise Ship travelers to Indigenous Maori Souvenirs,and visual and audio representation to our natural heritage.I'd personally blow up the existing shed.What a GEM that still is *Shudders* .I'd replace it with appropriate landing facilities, that link said cruise ship with the cloud,to form an autonomous route to Queen Street for filthy rich to displace an inordinate amount of $$ upon our humble soil.

[Matt L]

Seriously even during the RWC the cloud/slug felt pretty boring and lifeless as it really isn't anything more than a giant tent.

[AK-Sam]

Shed 10 would be a single berth terminal.
We need 2 or 3 berths - a double sided wharf.
Gordon Moller raised this point last year.

And with cruise ships berthed, what would be left of Queens Wharf for the public? The Cloud? Well the cloud is there now - I still haven't been in it.

[IThomas]

Cruise ship terminal on track

Moves to build a new cruise ship terminal on Queens Wharf are underway with Auckland Council calling for expressions of interest from skilled contractors wanting to be involved in the refurbishment. The $14.6 million terminal at Queens Wharf will incorporate the refurbished Shed 10 and the Cloud. Waterfront Auckland wants to narrow down a list of contractors who they will then seek proposals from. Contractors will refurbish Shed 10 into a cruise terminal and event space. The work will involve general preparation, demolition and make the most of existing heritage features. Artistic impressions of the converted Shed 10 heritage building show timber stairs, exposed beams and new windows looking out to the harbour and CBD. The terminal will be 50 per cent larger than the current cruise facility on Princes Wharf and would cater to ships carrying up to 3000 passengers.

Earlier this year, Brown said there was a need for Auckland to become more "cruise friendly" to gain maximum economic benefit from the industry. Cruise ships make up New Zealand's fourth largest inbound tourist market and is expected to become the third in the coming season. The call for interest document stated Auckland was one of the few cities in the world where cruise vessels berthed directly in the heart of the city. "It is a point of difference for Auckland in the competitive tourism market," it said. Contractors have until July 5 to lodge their interest. The new cruise ship terminal is expected to be completed by April 2013.

[SYDNEY]

Final step in funding approval confirmed for Shed 10

Carnival Australia welcomes today’s final step in funding approval for the transformation of Shed 10 into a multi-use cruise terminal and events facility. The adoption of Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan means $14.6million will be spent upgrading the heritage-listed Shed to create a facility that cements Auckland’s position as a vital part of the international cruise market. Carnival Australia CEO, Ann Sherry again praised Auckland’s strong leadership in supporting the growth of this important tourism industry. “This humble, yet cleverly-designed facility on Auckland’s waterfront will ensure the cruise market continues to flourish in Auckland and New Zealand,” she said.

“I can see from the design plans I’ve been privy to that a great deal of thought, scoping and discussion has gone into this project. It is truly world-class, with the room to grow along with the industry – and I’m certain that come April next year, Shed 10 will be transformed into a facility that Carnival Australia is proud to show off to its passengers. “We’re also excited that the projected completion of Shed 10 coincides with P&O Cruises’ Pacific Pearl coming back to be homeported in Auckland. This really reinforces how much the cruise industry has grown in this country in recent years and I know this new space will provide a fabulous and fitting abode for Pacific Pearl,” said Ann.

[SYDNEY]

This could be quite interesting ... a Transformer mcCaw


Heavy metal McCaw may transform city

New York Harbour has the Statue of Liberty and the Waitemata Harbour could soon have its very own Statue of Victory - a 14m-tall metal All Black figure in the image of Richie McCaw. A Chinese sculptor will be approaching the Auckland Council next week with plans to construct the statue using scrap metal from old cars. He hopes it can be placed on Queens Wharf. Yi Yang, 24, a student at AUT University, wants to present the statue - expected to cost about $20,000 to build - as a gift to the city. "All great cities have got a statue, and I think it is about time Auckland has one too," said Mr Yang.

"This statue will celebrate the pride of New Zealanders in winning last year's Rugby World Cup, and of course honour the All Blacks who brought that pride to the country." Yang is fanatical about Transformers and has been sculpting larger-than-life replicas of the robots with two friends since he was 19. The hobby has since turned into a business and he has been commissioned to sculpt giant figures in China and Singapore. His 14m creation of Autobot leader Optimus Prime, which he sold for about $50,000, is now on permanent display at the Shenyang Centre business district, and others are at the Transformers theme park ride in Universal Studios Singapore.

"I am very sure the All Blacks statue will be a huge tourist attraction, and will also be a new Auckland landmark," said Yang. He had not thought about a name for the sculpture, but felt it could be fitting to call it the "Statue of Victory". Metal McCaw would be made in China and shipped here in parts tobe reconstructed, he said - just asthe Statue of Liberty had been made in France and its 350 individual pieces were shipped to New York in 214 crates. Yang said he was finalising the proposal, plans and design for the four-storey-high statue and would be approaching the council within the next few days.

Auckland Council spokeswoman Angela Jones said the council's public art team would consider the proposal when it was received. Waterfront Auckland spokesman Luke Henshall said the plan had to be carefully considered. "While we're the first to admit Richie is a legend, large-scale public artworks such as this would need to be carefully considered as part of the overall design approach for the high-profile open spaces of Queens Wharf," he said If the plan is approved, it would not be the first statue of a New Zealand icon to be sculpted by a Chinese artist. The statue of Sir Edmund Hillary, which has become a landmark in Orewa, north of metropolitan Auckland, is the work of sculptor Chen Weiming.

[AK-Sam]

Awesome.. Where would it go?
Here's the transformer

[SYDNEY]

I agree, we need something out of the ordinary and not so literal

[SYDNEY]

THE FABULOUS CLOUD

image hosted on flickr

20 JUL 12 THE CLOUD by Urban+Explorer, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

20 JUL 12 THE CLOUD by Urban+Explorer, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

20 JUL 12 THE CLOUD by Urban+Explorer, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

20 JUL 12 THE CLOUD by Urban+Explorer, on Flickr

[drosophila]

Is the slug ever actually used for anything these days?

[SYDNEY]

For private functions and concerts (Justin Bieber used it a few nights back). This has got to stay on the Wharf. I think that it is one of the best buildings in the city - not a square block - hallelujah. It makes for an awesome sight when coming into the city via ferry, especially at night.

A cafe should be opened at the end of the pier side and it could be used as a market place or an exhibition space for street artists. It has huge potential.

[Matt L]

It will be being used in a few weeks time. ANZ are going to have the opening Ceremony played on big screens along with Hamish Carter talking about his experiences.

[Bealzebubbles]

I think a market could be a good use for it. Imagine wandering through there on a sunny summers day. Finding some amazing produce then having a picnic on a patch of grass at the end of the wharf.

[viinniie]

Originally Posted by drosophila

Is the slug ever actually used for anything these days?

yes. justin bieber had a private performance in there the other night