The Cloud passed its first test with flying colours tonight, its large and airy space taking on a carnival atmosphere for those people lucky enough to make it onto Auckland's Queens Wharf.
Hundreds of people hunkered down on the asphalt floor to watch the open action of the Rugby World Cup on two giant 17m by 4m television screens, the beer flowed freely and the afternoon sun streamed in from the west.
Later it glowed in a soft purple light from hundreds of fluorescent lights set along its curving structure, set against dozens of large white balls of light hanging from the roof.
"The Cloud is more impressive than I thought it would be and exceeded my expectations. It feels very Auckland,'' said Petra Lawrence of Birkenhead.
She appreciated that sponsor branding was not overpowering _ although there was no escaping the Brancott Estate Wine Bar.
Gavin and Monika Olson, of Sandringham, were blown away by the spacious feel, the soft lighting and white fabric forming the roof and wall panels.
"It doesn't feel like you are in a tent. It has really good airflow, we love the loos, there are so many of them, and loving the big screens,'' they said.
Said Julie Temple, of Taupo: "It's fantastic _ just drawing people into a party. I hope they continue to use it in future for events.''
The $9.8 million, 178m structure quickly filled with people, but it was a comfortable fit as organisers held the numbers on Queens Wharf to 12,000.
Many families took advantage of alcohol-free areas, or relaxed on astroturf at the Taste at the Cloud food zone at the northern end that opened on Tuesday.
The Cloud did, however, fill with a loud rumbling hum when the Finn brothers opened their concert on the main stage next door with the song History Repeats.
Former Auckland Regional councillor Joel Cayford said the Cloud was fantastic and a case of public money very well spent.
"The public are lapping it up,'' he said.
The former Auckland Regional Council and the Government bought Queens Wharf last year from Ports of Auckland for Party Central, a cruise ship terminal and public access.