A world-class luxury hotel is planned for the last remaining waterfront site in downtown Auckland
Viaduct Harbour Holdings Limited has announced plans for the redevelopment of One Market Square, a site at the heart of the Viaduct Harbour that was previously occupied by the Simunovich Fisheries building.
Angela Bull, Viaduct Harbour Holdings Limited chief executive, says the waterfront site is exceptional, directly facing the Viaduct Harbour on two sides and with stunning views of Auckland.
“Viaduct Harbour is an outstanding lifestyle precinct in Auckland with unrivalled access to the water, quality restaurants, apartments and an international marina.
“One Market Square is perfectly positioned for a world-class hotel that will add to the vibrancy and attractiveness of the precinct.
“We know that Auckland is critical to New Zealand’s tourist market and there is a clear need for luxury hotel accommodation in the CBD,” she says.
“A luxury hotel has many synergies with the amenities and attractions located in the Viaduct Harbour and will act as a catalyst to attract even more visitors to the area.
“With 165 rooms, and a rooftop bar proposed, we see this development as adding to the desirability of Viaduct Harbour and the continued investment in the precinct and surrounding area.”
Colliers International has been appointed to undertake a global search for a world-class development partner to build a luxury hotel on the site.
Colliers International National Director of Hotels Dean Humphries says New Zealand is in the midst of the strongest tourism boom in its history.
“As the country’s tourism capital, Auckland is the main beneficiary of the 3.5 million international visitors that came to our shores last year,” he says.
“The surge in visitor arrivals in recent years has led to a critical shortage of quality hotel accommodation in the city with an immediate requirement for new hotels.
“The New Zealand government predicts that Auckland will likely need another 4,300 new hotel rooms over the next decade to keep up with current demand projections.
“The timing is right for this unrivalled site to be developed to its optimal use. Real estate development opportunities are often exaggerated. That’s far from the case here – this site is genuinely unique.”
Humphries says new hotel rooms are needed in all market segments, and the new waterfront hotel would cater to the exclusive luxury market.
Bull says the company is looking for a suitable development partner who will build a world-class, iconic waterfront hotel that all Aucklanders can be proud of.
“We want a landmark development that will complement the many great buildings already built or underway in the wider Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter area.”
The preliminary design by Warren and Mahoney, a leading architectural firm behind some of New Zealand’s most iconic buildings, will be made available to the successful development partner.
The design offers a floor area of 12,000sq m on a 1,288sq m site. With the waterfront on two sides of the site, the hotel’s views across the harbour and beyond will never be built out.
Bull says the development partnership model will keep the strategic waterfront land in New Zealand ownership, while opening the project up to beneficial foreign investment.
Colliers International will be marketing the development opportunity via an international expression of interest campaign closing on 2 May 2017.
