Precinct Properties wins fast-track draft decision for twin-tower Auckland skyscrapers
Auckland Council planners described it as an “inappropriate development” for being a quarter of a kilometre high.
But now the Government’s fast-tracking scheme has released a draft decision approving the NZX-listed Precinct Properties’ twin-tower Te Pūmanawa Downtown West skyscraper project.
“The panel proposes to grant the approvals sought in this application,” the fast-track draft decision out today says.
The panel has now set a deadline of July 16 for receiving responses.
Precinct has till July 23 to respond to comments received.
The tallest of the two towers will rise even higher than the 187m stalled Seascape apartment development.
Towers of 55 and 45 levels are proposed.
Under the act, an expert panel must invite feedback on its draft decision, including any draft conditions from the Minister for Māori Crown Relations and the Minister for Māori Development.
A 92-page draft decision was also released today.
The panel, chaired by Kitt Littlejohn, made the draft determination with conditions.
The panel cited differences in opinion about the proposed towers.
Its draft determination said it had attempted to provide preliminary reasons for its approach to the draft conditions “where the conditioning outcomes sought were disagreed as between the applicant and other parties, including the [Auckland] Council and Auckland Transport”, the draft decision said.
“This involved identifying the material unresolved conditional issues/approaches rather than going through every drafting difference with a fine-tooth comb.
“Parties should not feel constrained in the comments they make on the panel’s draft conditions, but are nonetheless requested to take into account the panel’s preliminary findings on the material condition issues in dispute,” today’s draft determination said.
Opposition has been reported.
BusinessDesk reported how the proposed height of the buildings was central to criticisms from council planners in a 132-page memorandum filed with the fast-track panel on May 7 and published online.
“The proposal fails … owing to the proposed tower heights representing inappropriate development that does not preserve the natural character of the coastal environment to meet the [Resource Management Act]’s purpose,” planners wrote.
Precinct’s scheme is for a 222.5m high tower, a block from the waterfront.
It planned the scheme with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, on the Downtown Carpark.
The scheme was a successful application, included in the new Fast-track Approvals Act 2024, passed before Christmas.
The towers are to rise on the Downtown Carpark site, which Precinct bought from Auckland Council’s Eke Panuku for $122 million.
This is an extension of Precinct’s $300m-plus residential push.
Te Pūmanawa Downtown West
- By Precinct Properties with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
- To rise on the Downtown Carpark, Fanshawe St.
- Tower one, 55 levels or 227m high.
- Tower two, 45 levels or 162m high.
- Site bounded by Fanshawe St, Lower Hobson St.
- Opposite the Tepid Baths.
- 62,500sq m office space.
- 51,000sq m of residential gross floor area.
- 300 to 350 apartments.
- 2500sq m of retail and hospitality.
- 3300sq m of new public space.
- Five-level basement for 613 carparks.
- Only for apartment and office owners/tenants.
- No more cheap Downtown car parking, as it is now.
- Links to podium areas of Aon House and HSBC Building to enable connection and access through the block.
Anne Gibson has been the Herald’s property editor for 26 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.
- Stay ahead with the latest market moves, corporate updates, and economic insights by subscribing to our Business newsletter – your essential weekly round-up of all the business news you need.