30 May 2002
Westfield Signals Significant Changes To Its Proposed Shopping Centre In Newmarket
Shopping centre developer Westfield New Zealand is signaling major changes to the original design for its proposed new
shopping and entertainment centre on the corner of Remuera Road and Nuffield Street, Newmarket.
Its original proposal was withdrawn earlier last year to allow for more extensive consultation with the community.
Westfield Director John Widdup says that since then Westfield has conducted an exhaustive process of community
consultation including undertaking ongoing research, attending more than 60 meetings and taking more than 600 people
through the Nuffield Street Development Centre which provides comprehensive information on the proposed development.
“The key changes, which are in direct response to issues raised in the consultation process, fall into three areas:
- Reduced size and scale of the proposed buildings
- Nuffield Street is to be developed as a safe, “people friendly” space without an airbridge
- New traffic management proposals which will divert main traffic flows away from bottle-necks in Broadway.”
John Widdup said the development will now be three retail levels that will complement the overall style of Newmarket.
“The design gives the impression of a number of distinct small buildings rather than a single structure. The development
will have an exciting range of around 120 shops, plus majors, as well as alfresco dining and cafes. There will also be
eight cinemas.
“The proposed airbridge over Nuffield Street has been removed from the design. Nuffield Street will be a sheltered and
attractive pedestrian area, with direct access to Broadway.”
The artist’s impressions have been prepared by Westfield’s architects and reviewed by architectural consultancies which
have also provided their input into the design concepts.
“Revised traffic proposals incorporate new traffic flow control systems which divert traffic out of the main shopping
area, and offer better access to public transport, and improved and safer pedestrian access.
“Research shows that visiting shoppers are more concerned about getting a certain carpark in Newmarket than they are
about traffic congestion. The Centre will have more than 2000 carparks with multiple access points, with the first three
hours of parking free.
“The project is estimated to cost about $300 million and will boost the local economy, creating jobs in construction and
retail.
“It will provide improved retail and entertainment facilities to a rapidly growing area, ensuring that Newmarket retains
its position as Auckland’s premier shopping precinct, meeting the demand from retailers for more quality retail space in
Auckland and bringing new retailers to New Zealand,” said John Widdup.
Ends
Fact Summary about the Nuffield Street Development
Westfield has made major changes to the original design for its proposed new shopping and entertainment centre on the
corner of Remuera Road and Nuffield Street, Newmarket.
The original proposal was withdrawn last year to allow for an exhaustive process of community consultation. Westfield
has undertaken ongoing research, attended more than 60 meetings, and taken more than 600 people through the Nuffield
Development Centre.
One more month of consultation will now be undertaken to listen again to community feedback. Final adjustments will then
be made to the design, and the application lodged with the Auckland City Council mid-year.
Key changes in direct response to issues raised in the consultation process:
1 Reduced scale of the proposed buildings
- The development will now be only three retail levels that will complement the overall style of Newmarket.
- The design gives the impression of a number of distinct small buildings rather than a single structure.
- The centre’s look reflects the “rounded” frontage of the Mercury Building.
- The development will have an exciting range of around 120 shops, plus majors, as well as alfresco dining and cafes.
There will also be eight cinemas.
2 Nuffield Street is to be developed as a safe, “people friendly” space, without an airbridge
- The proposed airbridge over Nuffield Street has been removed from the design. Nuffield Street will be a sheltered and
attractive pedestrian area, with direct access to Broadway.
3 New traffic management proposals will divert main traffic flows away from bottle-necks in Broadway.
The revised proposals incorporate new traffic flow control systems which divert traffic out of the main shopping area,
and offer better access to public transport, and improved and safer pedestrian access.
Benefits
To the Local Community
The Nuffield Street development will:
- Boost the local economy - the $300 million investment will create both directly and flow-on employment in construction
and retail jobs
- Provide improved retail and entertainment facilities to a rapidly growing area
- Ensure that Newmarket retains its position as Auckland’s premier shopping precinct
- Meet the demand from retailers for more quality retail space in Auckland, and help bring new retailers to New Zealand
- Offer stylish new people-friendly public spaces with outdoor cafes and a pedestrian link to Broadway
- Complement the Newmarket area in design and scale
- Provide easy and convenient carparking, designed to minimise traffic onto Broadway - 2000 car parks with multiple
access points, with the first three hours of parking free
- Maximise public transport usage with improved access and linkages to public transport.
To Shoppers
- The Nuffield Street development will provide an exciting retail experience for shoppers, with a wide range of shops as
well as restaurants and the movies. When we asked people what they liked about shopping in Newmarket, more than half of
those interviewed referred to the variety and range of stores. Our proposal will greatly increase the variety of stores
for shoppers.
- The new centre will help Newmarket stay ahead of new shopping developments around Auckland.
For Retailers
- Nuffield Street will not harm the interests of existing retailers in Newmarket. Our experience elsewhere and our
research in Newmarket shows that additional shoppers will be drawn to Newmarket by a new shopping centre, and will also
shop in the strip shops.
- A new shopping centre will bring many more shoppers to the Newmarket precinct - 40% of people surveyed said they will
visit Newmarket more often if a new shopping centre is built.
- Two thirds of all current Newmarket shoppers shop in the existing shopping centre as well as in the Broadway shops
Timing
Following one more month of public consultation Westfield intends to lodge a fresh application with Auckland City
Council mid-year.
Unparalleled Experience
The Nuffield Street development will offer an unparalleled experience for retailers, shoppers, local residents and
visitors to Newmarket.
The 2.8 hectare site is ideally located for a world class shopping and entertainment centre.
- Newmarket is identified as a growth suburb in ARC regional growth strategy and is zoned for intensification with
intensive residential, commercial and retail development.
- Auckland’s population will double in the next 50 years.
- Newmarket must expand in order to retain its position as Auckland’s premier retail precinct
Traffic and Parking
Our revised traffic management proposal for the development will deal with concerns about traffic congestion in
Newmarket
- We will move traffic away from the busiest parts of Newmarket by shifting the emphasis to the southern and eastern
approaches to the site by enhancing the accessibility of these approaches, and direct car traffic away from the northern
end of the site.
- Our new design features a greater number and more balanced spread of entrances to and exits from the Centre, to
distribute traffic over a wider part of the road network.
- We are supportive of Auckland City’s proposal to address wider transport issues
- Research indicates that half (47%) of all Newmarket shoppers shop in the weekend.
- The new centre is expected to produce little additional traffic demand at weekday morning and evening peaks. Nearly
two thirds (62%) do their shopping in the middle of the day, or afternoon.
- Almost two thirds of Newmarket traffic are people “passing through”.
The parking situation will be improved
- Our research shows that the availability of parking is key to attracting shoppers to an area
- Under our proposal, more than 2000 carparks will be created with multiple access points located away from Broadway (in
Remuera Road, Nuffield Street and Mahuru Street) - and parking will be free for the first 3 hours.
The new proposal is also more focused on public transport and improved and safer pedestrian access. This includes
extension of the existing rail platform plus direct links to the city link and other bus routes. Currently one in four
shoppers arrive in Newmarket by public transport now.