[PROJECT] + ONEHUNGA TRAIN STATION

After many years of lobbying, the [ONEHUNGA TRAIN STATION] has finally opened and couldn't have come sooner. We decided to try it out and explore the historic village of Onehunga. The train was full of eager patrons as it pulled out of Britomart train station, passing through Newmarket, Remuera, Greenland and Ellerslie - it when you pull out of Ellerslie train station that you have to avert your eyes from the window so watch a video on your iPad and/or read a good book. The view is horrific and we can only hope that something will be done to improve the landscape along this stretch of industrial mayhem. 

The area around [ONEHUNGA TRAIN STATION] is not any better but there is hope, we have been told that a New World Metro will rise here and this will be followed by apartments and other retail. Onehunga is a lovely village full of quaint little gems, great coffee bars and amazing vintage book stores. One can only imagine that within a decade this little historic quarter will rival the likes of Ponsonby. All in all it was a great day out and we can't wait to return to Onehunga in order to continue our adventure.   

[PROJECT] + NEW LYNN TRAIN STATION

A $36 MILLION transport interchange at New Lynn was officially opened by Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand. It is part of a wider $300m project involving the undergrounding of the New Lynn rail lines, roadworks and redevelopment of the town centre. We love the injection of colour, the motifs and the fact that we no longer have to hide our heads in shame when we travel to New Lynn.  Congratulations to all who were involved in this great project. 

[PROJECT] + BRITOMART HOTEL | UPDATE

The "rusty and crusty" brigade is out in full force again doing the Auckland shuffle (one step forward, three steps back)  but we are here to set the record straight. The voice for the narrow-minded minority - yes you guessed it, The New Zealand Herald - is once again stirring the witch's cauldron and got the usual suspects (Mike Lee and Brian Rudman) doing what they do best ..... feeding the trolls.

We on the other hand would like to congratulate the Auckland City Planning Commissioners who have finally approved the mid-rise Hotel planned for Quay Street, Britomart and we have taken it upon ourselves to reply to The New Zealand Herald and Mike Lee as follows:


This is pure NZ Herald sensationalism - again ! The NZ Herald is the voice of the narrow minded minority who are always quick to come out guns blazing but with no just cause at all. Building the hotel does not detract from the area's historical merit, it enhances it. Contrary to what people want to believe the Britomart Precinct is not a time capsule. A city evolves and adapts to the needs and styles of the era, if anything the new hotel will make the Britomart Precinct that more interesting - a timeline in 3 dimensions - a progression of Auckland as a city.

The NZ Herald's report is wrong, the truth is that the heritage of Britomart remains intact and untouched. Not one of those buildings listed will be demolished, in fact, they will be restored and given a new lease of life - which is very much needed considering their current neglected state. The Seafarer's building is definitely nothing short of an eyesore and it is not heritage listed (nor should it be). The hotel will enhance the area, create work opportunities and tourists/hotel guests will serve as a cash injection for all the retail and hospitality in the area.

The new hotel will also help to balance the bulk of the entire area. This is a city people and not some lifestyle block. It is all fair and well to protect heritage buildings but that doesn't mean that everything else must stand still or that heritage buildings can't be incorporated into contemporary buildings. It is short sighted, unrealistic, old fashioned and quite simply idiotic. For Mike Lee to want to contest the development is all smoke and mirrors spurned on by The NZ Herald and their biased "reports".

[PROJECT] + GEYSER

Samson Corporation have done it again.  Fresh from blessing Auckland with [ IRON BANK ] they are now bestowing Auckland with one of the most beautiful buildings to grace our shores in a long, long time and Parnell is the lucky beneficiary. 

The Geyser project highlights how far green building has come in New Zealand since Green Star launched in 2007. And Geyser’s 6 Star rating for Office Design sets an exciting new benchmark for the way buildings are designed and built. Geyser was designed by Patterson Architects Ltd. Tricia Love Consultants and Medland Metropolis provided Green Star NZ Accredited Professional Services. The building will have 5040 square metres of primarily office space, set above a 180 vehicle automated car park stacking system and is due for completion in 2011.

You can watch the video presentation [ HERE ]