Proposed Auckland waterfront stadium stupidity

Stadiums before affordable housing, again (Dunedin, Christchurch, Auckland) – the Nuts striving to build ‘ball park’ ASSETS quickly develop own shallow pockets.

In 2006 Auckland considered building a national stadium on its waterfront, but abandoned the idea —the stadium was the Labour government’s choice for the Rugby World Cup 2011.

David White (top) & Nigel Marple / Fairfax

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Stuff.co.nz Last updated 08:02, March 21 2016
Government won’t pay for Auckland waterfront stadium, John Key says
A proposed waterfront stadium in Auckland would not be funded by the Government, Prime Minister John Key has indicated. Calls to build a CBD sports stadium have been backed by several high profile business people, including New Zealand Warriors boss Eric Watson who has offered to help pay for the project. Key told the Paul Henry Show on Monday he personally thought the waterfront stadium was a good idea, but that it shouldn’t be government-funded. “I don’t think we’ve got a great appetite for pouring money into that,” he said.
Read more

█ Paul Henry Show | NewsHub TV3
Full interview: John Key, March 21, 2016 [Video]

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[click to enlarge]

NBR 24.3.16 OPINION Tim Hunter (page 2)

NZ Herald – the extra SORRY tales
23.3.16 Opinion: Brian Rudman: Fans too thin on ground for waterfront stadium
23.3.16 Auckland’s waterfront stadium: Look to Australia for tips, says architect
22.3.16 Iwi joins supporters of new stadium as gateway to city
21.3.16 Vodafone backs Auckland waterfront stadium
21.3.16 Opinion: What kind of stadium does Auckland need?
21.3.16 John Key: Government won’t be paying for Auckland waterfront stadium
20.3.16 Eric Watson offers to help fund downtown stadium project
20.3.16 Eric Watson: Build it and the Warriors will make it their home
19.3.16 Visions for a new national stadium
18.3.16 For and against: Waterfront stadium
18.3.16 Editorial: New stadium dream needs reality check
18.3.16 Auckland waterfront stadium could cost more than $1b project…
15.3.16 Opinion: Chris Rattue: Auckland’s waterfront stadium has to happen
15.3.16 Stadium debate: Is it time to build downtown?
15.3.16 Warriors’ boss backing waterfront stadium
15.3.16 Renewed push for new football stadium in Auckland’s CBD

Related Post:
24.7.15 Stadiums: Auckland works to limits —Dunedin, never

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Auckland’s Civic Building first skyscraper #Modern

Photographer Patrick Reynolds says the Civic is an important building by an important architect – chief city architect Tibor Donner (1946-1967) – and it appealed enormously as “Hotel Moderne” with its modernist credentials.

### metromag.co.nz June 10, 2014
Urban Design
The Civic Building: Modernist Folly, Architectural Treasure
By Chris Barton
Why we should all be up in arms at the threatened demolition of the Auckland Council Civic Building.
There’s a surprise at the top of the hated Civic Building. From afar, you could guess there was some sort of observation deck, but the central roof-top courtyard open to the sky and to terrific east and west viewing across the cityscape to the harbour is a delight. Shut to the public since the 1970s, the restricted area is looking a little shabby, but one can easily imagine how the space could be brought back to life and, combined with a makeover of the staff cafeteria a level below, could be the tearoom talk of the town. Here might be a rare commodity in Auckland — public space on high — given that most other high places are either off limits, commercialised or privatised.
No 1 Greys Ave, formerly known as the Auckland City Council Administration Building, has plenty of other unique features: the rolled Corbusian corners of the metal-clad plant room, the curvy Le Corbusier-inspired entrance canopy, the mezzanine lobby and the precast terrazzo treads and iron balustrades of the open staircase.
Read more + Photos by Patrick Reynolds

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### NZ Herald Online 11:51 AM Tuesday Nov 18, 2014
Bid to save NZ’s first skyscraper
By Bernard Orsman – Super City reporter
Plans to save New Zealand’s first skyscraper, the Civic Building on Aotea Square, or demolish it have been outlined to councillors and the media today. Council officers have been investigating options and market interest to refurbish the building, which will be empty by the New Year after serving as the city’s main civic administration building since 1966. The wrecking ball has been hanging over the building since the Auckland Council paid $104 million for the 31-storey ASB Bank Centre in Albert St for its new headquarters. The 100m tower was designed in the 1950s and completed in 1966. It has been criticised as an ugly box, but many architects marvel at its features. Architect Julia Gatley, an authority on modern architecture in New Zealand, has praised it as a beautifully proportioned, slender building that encapsulates modernism. It has no heritage status, but two reports have suggested it warrants a category A listing, and the council’s heritage division says it merits category B status. Heritage New Zealand also wants to see it gain heritage status and saved. The council’s property arm said without major refurbishment and the removal asbestos it would be unsuitable for council or other uses, such as commercial, residential and hotel. Auckland Council Property said it would cost about $78 million for full refurbishment to modern office and code requirements, or $60 million for a residential conversion. Demolition and site reinstatement is estimated at between $11.5 million to $12.5 million.
Read more

Civic Building demolished – revamped Aotea Square with new ‘teletubbie’ commercial buildings | Regional Facilities Auckland

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Images: (from top) heritageetal.blogspot.com – Former Auckland City Council Administration Building, 1 Greys Avenue (1981); metromag.co.nz – Civic Building on Aotea Square by Patrick Reynolds; stuffcrush.blogspot.co.nz – Civic Building, fenestration detail (2011) by Caleb