MEDIA RELEASE

19 September 2002

Viaduct to have a building with “eyebrows”!

Consent has been granted by Auckland City Council’s Regulatory and Fixtures Sub Committee for the redevelopment of the vacant site at 77 Fanshawe Street. M3 Investments Ltd can now move ahead with the erection of a new five level office building in the Viaduct Harbour Precinct.

“This new development will certainly be a significant improvement on an otherwise quite under-utilised, desolate site,” says Councillor Juliet Yates, committee chairperson. “The consent is subject to a number of conditions addressing design and public safety.”

Interesting architectural characteristics will be a feature for this new building. For instance the rooftop design incorporates the use of sunscreens over the top of windows, forming an ‘eyebrow’ along the parapet of the building.

“The concept of a building having eyebrows at first seems quite bizarre. But apart from the shade it will provide, our planners consider public benefit will be derived because of the aesthetic character of its architectural design,” says Councillor Yates.

In terms of the development’s through site pedestrian link, the walkway has been designed to reflect the nautical features of the locality and will be finished in materials similar to the footpaths with in the locality and Bouziad Way. The through site link will be illuminated at night and designed so that there are no hiding spaces. “Public safety and high quality features were important issues when drawing up the imposed conditions,” explained Mark Vinall, Council’s Central Area Planning Manager. “Council has ensured that the walkway complies with the Council guidelines for Design Against Crime.”

The future proposed development on the adjoining site to the west will incorporate a large public plaza that will adjoin the through site link.

“After a thorough investigation, City Planning were very happy to recommend approval of the consent,” says Mr Vinall. “We feel that the new development will certainly add to the Viaduct Precinct as a whole.”

Attached: Location map of site

ENDS

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