The Government's $100 million proposal for Queen's Wharf is
dominated by a "long house" that will serve as a cruise-ship
terminal and multi-purpose public space.
Click photo to enlarge
An artist's impression of the proposed Queen's Wharf
development in Auckland. Image from The New Zealand Herald.
The project is intended to be ready for the 2011 Rugby
World Cup.
The revamp, a fine-tuned version of last year's
contest-winning design by architects Jasmax and Architectus,
is one of four options for Queen's Wharf.
It is unclear what the other options are, although Prime
Minister John Key last month said a short-term development
for the cup could cost up to $20 million.
The $100 million scheme, shown to the region's mayors and
Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully last week, removes
two 1912 cargo sheds and divides the wharf in two.
The eastern side is dominated by the "long house", a building
with four layers.
The first is at the wharf level with cruise-ship facilities
and active edges, such as cafes, fronting the west.
The second layer is a promenade providing public access to
the third layer, the long house, a multi-function hall.
The fourth is a distinctive angled roof.
The hall remains partially open to the elements.
The concept has won the support of three of Auckland's big
city mayors and Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee,
but not Auckland City Mayor John Banks, who says a decision
on the wharf should not be rushed before the Super City is in
place and a masterplan is developed for the waterfront.
A spokesman for Mr McCully said all four options might be
publicly released.
