Two now on waterfront redevelopment shortlist
WELLINGTON WATERFRONT is close to selecting its preferred developer for the Kumutoto precinct after earlier plans for a big office block on the site were rejected by the Environment Court.
Chief executive Ian Pike said five proposals were received for sites 9 and 10, the car park area opposite the NZ Post headquarters in Waterloo Quay.
These had been whittled down to a shortlist of two proposals and a recommendation on the best option would be put to Wellington City Council’s strategy and policy committee next month.
Pike was not prepared to name those still in contention but it is understood that Willis Bond and Todd Property proposals have been shortlisted.
The proposals provide for a mix of uses including offices, apartment and public space ‘‘with an emphasis on exemplarily architectural design’’.
‘‘We’re determined to get a great architectural outcome and that was made a little harder by virtue of the reduced height proscribed by last year’s Environment Court ruling,’’ Pike said.
The maximum height was three to four storeys on site 9 and four storeys plus plant rooms on site 10.
The court deemed that the earlier Newcrest Group proposal to put up a large-footprint six-storey office block would threaten the heritage character of the area between Queens Wharf and the railway station.
The maximum height on site 10, at the northern end of the area, was reduced to 22m, while site 9’s was lowered to 19m, and 16m at its southern end. New buildings in this area would have a range of uses and could include recreational, retail, commercial, residential and institutional uses. The uses needed to support a safe waterfront and 24-hour activity.
The brief said the character of North Kumutoto included a network of waterfront promenade and lanes connecting back to the CBD. Any buildings would have to be sympathetic to the scale of the surrounding heritage buildings including Sheds 21, 11 and 13, and the Harbour Board iron gates and railings.
Meanwhile, Wellington Waterfront is still looking for alternative uses for Shed 1 on the outer ‘‘T’’ on Queens Wharf.
Five years ago the Environment Court knocked back a proposed Hilton Hotel development on the site as it was too big, would reduce public access, would cause traffic problems and affect the wharf’s heritage.
Pike said Waterfront Wellington was in discussions with someone who had a proposal for the shed, which is now used for indoor soccer and as a helicopter base.
It was looking at other recreational uses that could complement other food, beverage and sporting activities in the area.
Traffic access issues identified in the court ruling on the Hilton restricted options for the site.
Meanwhile work is nearly finished on the $6.9 million temporary convention centre in Shed 6, beside the TSB Arena.
The centre, which will provide an alternative venue, while work is done strengthening the Town Hall, will be officially opened on August 21.
Considerable work has been done on strengthening what had been an earthquake-prone wharf. The wharf deck around Shed 6 has been separated from all the structures around it and seismically upgraded.
The new convention centre was effectively a new facility inside Shed 6 and room has also been created by shifting the Plimmers Arc restoration display to a warehouse in Naenae. For more property news go to dompost.co.nz/ commercialproperty