On Thursday 15 October, Prime Minister John Key and Mayor Len Brown dug the sods for the first homes as part of the ongoing revitalisation of Wynyard Quarter on Auckland’s waterfront.
Over 100 dignitaries and mana whenua attended the ground breaking in Daldy Street to mark the build of 113 townhouses and apartments over the next three years.
More than 60 per cent of dwellings in the development, called Wynyard Central, have already sold off the plans. Eventually, between 500 and 600 apartments, townhouses and duplexes of various sizes will be built across five sites in the area by the developer Willis Bond.
The developments are part of the ongoing regeneration of 18.5 hectares of Auckland Council-owned land in Wynyard Quarter that began in 2009, being led by council organisation Panuku Development Auckland.
Len Brown says it is a great day for Wynyard Quarter. “Wynyard Quarter is one of the developments I am most proud of in the five years of Auckland Council. Bit by bit, this area is being transformed from industrial wasteland to a template for what the world’s most liveable city will look like.
“This Wynyard Central development will be inner-city living at its very best, that’s for sure.”
Prime Minister John Key echoed those sentiments and reinforced what’s needed to accommodate future growth in the region.
“This whole area (Wynyard Quarter) is really looking absolutely fabulous. Auckland has got to go up and it's got to go out and it's got to do both those things in equal proportions."
Panuku Development Auckland Interim Chief Executive John Dalzell says the transformation of Wynyard Quarter provides a blueprint for what can be achieved in other selected sites across the region.
“What we’re talking about is setting an exemplar for medium-density development. Building designs will inspire, and new behaviours will be encouraged through approaches to recycling, energy and water conservation and generation, walking and cycling amenities, car parking and transport.”
“It won’t just be tenants or homeowners who are set to benefit from the development. With 11,000 square metres of new laneways and open spaces, including nearly 1300 metres of retail, visitors to Wynyard Quarter will be able to experience a whole new part of the city.”
