GridAKL in the Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct celebrated two major milestones in December, with the first permanent building opening its doors and work starting on a new 8500m2 building.
GridAKL is an Auckland Council initiative run by council-controlled organisation Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED). Its aims to help Auckland become an innovation hub of the Asia-Pacific rim.
It is designed to encourage business growth, showcase Auckland’s world-class technology innovations to international investors and potential multi-national partners, and encourage collaboration, networking and idea sharing.
Lysaght Building opens
The first permanent GridAKL building, the Lysaght Building located on the corner of Halsey and Pakenham streets, has now opened.
The refurbished Lysaght Building has a five-star Greenstar sustainability rating standard. It includes co-working and events spaces, a Wi-Fi enabled café and additional space for expanding resident businesses.
The Lysaght Building blends the heritage of old Wynyard Quarter with modern day 'smart' technology provided by GridAKL’s foundation partner, networking and telecommunications giant Huawei.
Huawei will showcase its world-leading communications technology with state-of-the-art systems installed within GridAKL's buildings, commencing with the Lysaght Building.
Work starts on new GridAKL building
Work also started in December on the first new GridAKL building, an 8500m2 building developed by Precinct Properties that is expected to open by mid-2017.
ATEED has entered into a head lease agreement with Precinct Properties for this building, which will be located at 12 Madden Street.
The building will include a range of working spaces, including co-working space for start-up businesses, space for small and medium enterprises, corporate offices, event space, meetings and training facilities and places for the public to plug into GridAKL.
Auckland to become innovation hub
Mayor Len Brown welcomes the recent developments in the innovation precinct, saying: “The Auckland Innovation Plan that ATEED launched last year reiterates Auckland’s goal to be an innovation hub of the Asia-Pacific region.
“If we’re going to make this happen, building the culture of innovation across our region is essential. The expansion of GridAKL, alongside the opening of the Lysaght Building, signifies our intent and shows that efforts to encourage innovation across Auckland are gaining momentum and scale.
“I look forward to watching GridAKL, and the businesses that call it home now and in the future, go from strength to strength.”
