Planning for the second stage of the urban renewal of Wynyard Quarter on Auckland’s waterfront has been honoured with a prestigious international award in the United States.
The award relates to a 3.5 hectare block in the heart of Wynyard Quarter, known as the central precinct, where construction is now underway on up to 500 townhouses and apartments and 48,000 square metres of commercial spaces.
In recognition of the pre-development work and planning for the area, Panuku Development Auckland has taken out the Comprehensive Plans Category at the “Excellence on the Waterfront” awards in Washington D.C.
An honour for Auckland
The award acknowledges the overall design treatment which celebrates the proximity of the precinct to the sea-edge, the environmental values demonstrated by new building ratings and a sustainability development framework and the open and collaborative approach during the planning and investment processes.
Panuku Development Auckland Chief Executive John Dalzell says the award is a huge honour, especially as the entry was up against some stunning waterfronts in Europe, Asia and North America.
“It’s excellent to have this recognition on the international stage and the award is a tribute to the collective efforts of all the team and the developers and their designers that are starting to deliver on the vision Aucklanders have for the area.
“The challenge now is to sustain this momentum and incorporate the approach that has been so successful in Wynyard Quarter into the revitalisation of the rest of the public parts of the waterfront and other transformation opportunities across the region.”
First homes due in 2018
Construction got underway in the central precinct to Wynyard Quarter in October on the first of the residential and commercial sites. The first homes are due to be completed by early 2018 and first commercial building is expected to be tenanted by mid-2017.
This is the second award for Wynyard Quarter in the Excellence on the Waterfront Awards after the first stage of the area's renewal, the transformation of Jellicoe Street, North Wharf and Silo Park won the Supreme Award in 2012.
