Building plan unveiled for Catalina Bay
Historic air force buildings and hangars will be restored in the first stage of the multi-million dollar Catalina Bay development at Hobsonville Point, near Auckland.
Developer Willis Bond & Co has revealed its plans for the former Hobsonville Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Base, which focus on creating a new gateway to the west from the water.
And one of the first changes has been the name of the site, which was formerly The Landing.
Willis Bond managing director Mark McGuinness says the name needed to go because a ‘‘quick search revealed about six other areas in Auckland also called The Landing’’.
McGuinness says the mixeduse, waterfront development will include between 60 and 80 highquality freehold apartments, but the first stage will involve the restoration and development of the existing buildings.
The precinct will have an ‘‘artisan’’ flavour in keeping with the thriving Farmer’s Market at the Point.
Planned businesses include a craft brewery, cafes and restaurants and restored character offices, including shared office space.
‘‘Co-sharing is a significant global trend in the office market and Auckland has many successful examples in the CBD. These operators typicall love locating in buildings of great character.’’
McGuinness describes Catalina Bay as a pristine waterside precinct.
‘‘We will be utilising much of the existing infrastructure, refurbishing to ensure the most modern of facilities are properly housed in a very historic environment,’’ he says.
‘‘Surprisingly residential precinct, a neighbourhood of 120 new homes and 11-fully refurbished former Air Force homes from the 1930s.
Chris Aiken, CEO of the Hobsonville Land Company (HLC) says HLC is delighted to be working with Willis Bond on the Catalina Bay development.