DISCUSSION | Auckland Then + Now

[Humptydo]

Originally Posted by Mr_kiwi_fruit

What could best be described as a boring white building in Rutland Street, is being transformed as old panels affixed to the metal balconies are being painted different

Yeah but it's a small splash of colour on an all-white building, possibly the elast practical of all colours for buildings. Auckland has this bizarre thing with painting its cheap and tacky towers white - I just don't get it. To be honest, I prefer the green. The bright colours remind me of that thing they do in Brazil where they paint the slums bright cheery colours to cheer up the tourists. Lipstick on a pig - that's the expression I was looking for!

[Brojoro]

Originally Posted by KIWIKAAS

I would place it between 1991 and 93.
The old stables is still there where the sky tower and hotel lobby are now. No start on Quay West (which was started in 94 I think). The ANZ building was then called the Coopers and Lybrand tower and the Heritage was still Farmers

Hey there, just wondering what the "Old Stables " were that you refer to. I was trying to remember what was on the Skytower site 89-93?

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

The refurb of the AGC building in Victoria Street seems to nearing completion. There are several new shops on street level.

The building as it is now

image hosted on flickr


The old shops

image hosted on flickr


The new ones

Starting off from the RHS (working left) as you look at the building

The Coffee Club
image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


Next is the obligatory convenience store with a money exchange sandwiched between itself and the Coffee Club (not in image)


image hosted on flickr


Followed by the cutting crew

image hosted on flickr


and finally a new restaurant on the extreme left (I think a Chinese one but not sure - still outfitting)


image hosted on flickr


All in all a much much better than what was there before - but I do think they could have done without the City Star convenience store - especially since there is already a convenience store between Coffee Club and Starbucks in the building next door.

[drosophila]

Originally Posted by Brojoro

Hey there, just wondering what the "Old Stables " were that you refer to. I was trying to remember what was on the Skytower site 89-93?

The sky tower site used to be a carpark, but the side facing onto Victoria street used to be a row of terraced type buildings, looked good, but they were all bowled. Originally the plan had been to build at the top of Symonds street but I think there was some sort of land swap.

[drosophila]

Thanks for the updates - the building itself is still butt ugly!

[Humptydo]

Originally Posted by drosophila

Thanks for the updates - the building itself is still butt ugly!

I agree. For some reason I thought the makeover was going to be more radical, a la 21 Queen St. They need to get rid of that external concrete cladding for starters - ugh!

[Brojoro]

Originally Posted by drosophila

The sky tower site used to be a carpark, but the side facing onto Victoria street used to be a row of terraced type buildings, looked good, but they were all bowled. Originally the plan had been to build at the top of Symonds street but I think there was some sort of land swap.

Thanks Drosophila. I remember the massive carpark space, free to park too if I recall. I wondered what the reference to 'Old Stables" referred to, must have been well before my time, be interesting to find out.

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

Originally Posted by drosophila

Thanks for the updates - the building itself is still butt ugly!

I agree they could have done a lot more with the building than what they did. Even just adding strips of blue as the renders promised would have made a huge difference. I forgot to mention that all the street level shops in AGC open in Victoria Street as well as to the arcade behind. The Federal Street upgrade could have a ripple effect on what is a rather dead space at the moment (The arcade)

[buildemhigh]

this thread has reminded me of a book my father had years ago (and must be still floating around his attic somewhere) it was called above auckland and was from the late 80's... would be amazing to show the contrast of 20 odd years of development.. wonder if theres any images from this online anywhere

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

I have the book - problem is to find/get the 'now' matching images from the same vantage point.

[buildemhigh]

your helicopter in the shop for repairs?

[Kiwi-Si]

Is that 3 sheds I see on Queens Wharf?

[drosophila]

Originally Posted by Kiwi-Si

Is that 3 sheds I see on Queens Wharf?

Queens Wharf originally had 6 sheds on it, and it looks like it still had 3 in the 80s.

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

Before


image hosted on flickr


After

image hosted on flickr


Before

image hosted on flickr


After

image hosted on flickr


Before

image hosted on flickr


After

image hosted on flickr

[Indictable]

Really like it, the new water feature looks quite modern too!

[lagavulin]

I like the before pics better!

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

18 August 2005

image hosted on flickr


18 April 2010

image hosted on flickr

[Blah]

Originally Posted by lagavulin

I like the before pics better!

So do I

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

9 April 2009

image hosted on flickr


28 May 2010

image hosted on flickr

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

16 February 2007


image hosted on flickr


28 May 2010

image hosted on flickr