Subscribe to RSSNew Queens Wharf Solution
The ARC and the Government have finally agreed on how Queens Wharf will be developed in what ARC Chair Mike Lee calls a “new, pragmatic and creative solution.”
The agreement confirms Queens Wharf as the Rugby World Cup fan zone in a plan which includes both Shed 10 and the temporary “cloud” structure.
Under the agreement Shed 11 will be dismantled and moved off site, and the “cloud” building located in its place on the western side of the wharf.
Shed 10 will be retained with some works undertaken to ensure that it is safe, secure and visually in keeping with the fan zone for next year’s Rugby World Cup. This work will respect the heritage values of the shed.
The ARC purchased Queens Wharf to provide a permanent cruise ship terminal and public open space in the heart of Auckland’s waterfront.
ARC Chair Mike Lee said the agreement meant that after the Rugby World Cup, the new Auckland Council and its Waterfront Development Agency will be able to make considered decisions on how to achieve these long term objectives within a vision for Auckland and the whole of the waterfront.
He called it a pragmatic and creative solution that delivered “an outstanding harbourside fan zone for the Rugby World Cup, embraces the wharf’s heritage and preserves the broadest possible options and legacy for the future.
“Aucklanders tend to debate the development of their city so passionately that it can sometimes be bewildering and indeed exasperating – especially for the rest of the country. Once again, we have tackled a complex city development issue and forged a robust solution,” says Mr Lee.
“But the clock is ticking. The time for talking is over, now the work begins. Delivery for the Rugby World Cup can now proceed in earnest. ”
Sports minister Murray McCully said he looked forward to working with the ARC and, very shortly, the Waterfront Development Agency to complete this “important project.”
The Government could proceed with building the temporary ‘Cloud’ structure at the harbour end of the wharf for fan zone activities, festival events, industry showcasing, and international media and VIP hosting.
“Shed 11 will be dismantled and removed, while the ARC will repair Shed 10 to a sufficient standard to ensure it is safe and does not visually impair the site. ARC’s share of Queens Wharf transfers to the new Waterfront Development Agency on 1 November 2010, and it will then be up to the WDA to determine the shed’s long-term future.
Queens Wharf.. time clock for RWC ticking
Auckland Mayor John Banks calls the decision sensible and one that future proofs Shed 10 while ensuring that suitable facilities will be in place for the Rugby Word Cup.
“I will work with the Government to make this decision a success so that we can deliver an outstanding Rugby World Cup experience. The proposal today means that we can stand back and take a long-term view of the whole waterfront, including Queens Wharf.
“The new Waterfront Development Agency will deliver an integrated plan for the whole of the waterfront from Westhaven to Bledisloe.”
Labour List MP Jacinda Ardern said she was glad to see that at least one of the waterfront sheds was to be saved from the wrecking ball. “It never made any sense to demolish the sheds only to replace them with a temporary structure.”
6 Comments
Murray also said that the refurbishment needed to make sure Shed 10 “doesn’t fall down on anyone”. Sour grapes at not getting his way all the way? Surely not.
Karl - Shed 10 will need extensive refurbishment both anesthetically and structurally. Thats the thing with restoration and refurbishing projects, it is more expensive and a longer process than demolishing and building new.
Personally don’t get why we are keeping these worthless cheap sheds, I don’t see any historic significance at all, sometimes it’s worth the extra cost and time, but don’t agree with it here.
Well, I think they offer the opportunity to provide a great “market hall” kind of environment, and I remain hopeful that in a few years, there will be a general “good thing we didn’t pull them down” feel in the public. Plus, I like industrial architecture - it is no more ugly (and often more functionally beautiful) than what most “modern” architecture gives us.
Karl - Don’t get me wrong, I like old industrial Architecture as well, these sheds however were made as cheap options and to me gives no significance to Auckland’s History, and are just that, cheap tin sheds. Why spend all this money to convert to a cruise ship terminal? Which is what is going to happen eventually given the ideal location, the shed is not going to be a market style building, it’s going to be hosting thousands of international visitors from around the world.
If we get it right we could turn Auckland into a stop start destination for cruise ships, which is where the real money is at, rather than just a stop over.
But you need a big functional cruise ship terminal, which can handle the influx in numbers which will occur, it needs to be Anesthetically pleasing and a great introduction into New Zealand. I can’t see the refurbished shed being able to offer that, and in-fact would most likely confirm our status as a stop over destination.
Joshua, the sheds are the last examples of a type of structure that used to cover the port. Let’s not forget that Auckland grew from that port and the history of the city and the history of the waterfront are one and the same.
Sure they are just cheap working sheds, but some of Auckland’s most protected buildings are cheap bluestone warehouses or cheap timber cottages.
Hell the treaty house at waitangi is just a cheap pile of wooden boards right?
They may not be the Taj Mahal, but those sheds have a lot of historic value as the last of their kind.
there’s plenty of room for party central and shed 10