The busiest train station in the country and the biggest rooftop bar in Auckland are coming to the city centre. There’s a whole lot more planned, and in the meantime, some gorgeous public art to be discovered. They’re all part of a wider transformation programme aimed at creating a city centre that will be enjoyed by Aucklanders and visitors for generations.
St James Theatre Restoration
This month, the news that the St James Theatre’s restoration is now full steam ahead was met with joy from Aucklanders all over the city! Auckland Council reconfirmed its funding contribution towards the project that will breathe new life into the city centre’s Aotea Arts Quarter.
St James has been sorely missed since it closed its doors in 2016. A key part of building a flourishing city centre that is rich in culture and entertainment for all Aucklanders to enjoy, the theatre and the area surrounding the St James also holds big opportunities for renewal.
When complete, the refurbished theatre will host up to 1800 people and is expected to cater to a range of arts from opera to theatre productions to rock.
The City Rail Link Takes Shape
The City Rail Link is seeing lots of progress as the project moves forward! Trains are now being tested for the full length of the tunnel network. This exciting step shifts the project away from being a construction site and towards being a fully functioning railway station.
The testing programme will continue until the CRL opens, which is expected in 2026. Here's some footage of the first test train making its maiden trip.
Recently, before-and-after images of the platform space inside the new Te Waihorotiu Station have been unveiled, showing how it has taken shape. One of its large name signs is now in its permanent spot on Wellesley Street.
The station’s stunning design features seven overhead skylights punctured into Albert St, representing the seven stars of Matariki. The view from the platform features more cultural elements of Tāmaki Makaurau engraved into black panels, and a huge x-shaped cross beam suspended over a set of escalators.
The CRL promises to offer faster journeys across Auckland, with commuters able to travel from the central city to Mt Eden, via Karangahape Rd, in about six minutes. The CRL will double the number of Aucklanders within a 30-minute train journey.
To keep up to date with all the progress, see the CRL Facebook Page here.
Nestled within the Aotea Arts Quarter, Waihorotiu Station will also be the home of the Symphony Centre. This mixed-use development will include new retail offerings and next door will be the revamped Bledisloe House. Between them will be The Lanes. From coffee on the way to work to capping off a night at SkyCity there will be plenty of reasons to pop in. We love the energy laneways bring to the city centre, so we’re excited for this one!
Images via Instagram @CityRailLink
Karanga Plaza Harbour Pool
This pool builds on the enjoyment of the Karanga Plaza Tidal Steps in the Viaduct Harbour as a swimming spot. It's proving popular, with lots of people using it to cool down in the summer, be it by doing laps in one of its four 33m long swimming lanes, leaping off its dedicated jumping platform or a sedate soak. With ladders for easy access, changing sheds, a shower and toilets, Karanga Plaza Harbour Pool is set up as a place to spend the day.
This location is on the Swim Safe Website. Water quality is regularly monitored and tested, and the facilities are free to use and open during daylight hours.
Enjoying the Wynyard Quarter
Wynyard Quarter, once an industrial and marine area, has undergone an impressive transformation. The marine industry still proudly calls this home, but there’s now fantastic restaurants, cafes, playgrounds, a theatre and even a basketball court. And there’s plenty more planned!
From swimming in restored bays to new waterfront dining experiences, there will be even more new ways to enjoy the area within the next decade or so. Ten hectares of industrial land is planned to be transformed into Te Ara Tukutuku a new public park.
If you’re looking to head to the area, walk over the Wynard Quarter Bridge or you can take a stroll around the Viaduct Basin.
Te Ara Tukutuku's Transformation
Over the next 10-15 years, the northern end of Wynyard Quarter (Wynyard Point) will be transformed into one of the most beautiful open spaces and waterfront destinations in Tāmaki Makaurau.
The Te Ara Tukutuku vision is to enjoy, explore, connect with community, engage in nature, and interact with whenua (land) and wai (water) environments.
The draft concept, shaped by public feedback, introduces unique features such as nature immersion, marine interaction, cultural connection, and community events. Visitors can explore coastal ngahere, engage with marine life, learn about Te Ao Māori, and participate in or watch community-led events. While scenic lookouts will offer 360-degree views of the city, harbour, waka ramp and marine restoration.
Te Hā Noa (Victoria Street):
Te Hā Noa has a number of sections now complete, and it's a great to get a glimpse into what the finished project will look like, with plenty of lush native trees and plants, places to sit, beautifully carved pavers, public artwork and a drinking fountain. It’s a wonderful place to relax and unwind after shopping on Queen Street and home to lots of fabulous eateries - including Scarecrow , Cinnamon Squared and Scrunchy Millers on Victoria Street. By mid-2025, another artwork will be unveiled on the Queen Street corner, so keep an eye out.
Britomart’s Evolution Continues to Unfold
Galway Street is the most recently completed space. It’s got an intimate yet bustling vibe, helped along by it being home of local institutions Cafe Hanoi and Daily Bread, as well as the city centre’s first Four Square in a beautifully refurbished heritage building no less. Across the road, the large temporary shed that was behind the Chief Post Office (CPO) has been removed and the space is now being transformed. By mid-2025, you'll be able to head there and have an al fresco coffee or lunch under the native trees or large seating area at Waitematā Station (Britomart) Plaza. An upgrade to Tyler Street is happening at the same time as well.
(Bottom: Waitemata Plaza, render)
Rooftop Bars, Luxury Hotels, and New Zealand Firsts: Take your staycation in the city centre up a notch
Commercial Bay keeps getting better, with the newest luxury hotel in New Zealand – the InterContinental Auckland in the Deloitte Centre (formerly One Queen Street). Featuring incredible views of the cityscape or harbour and its restaurant Advieh’s contemporary Turkish food, it’s a definite contender for your next staycation. If you need further convincing, Queens Rooftop and Wineshop offer incredible views of the waterfront and Hauraki Gulf!
In fact, we love a rooftop bar in the city centre, so it’s exciting that the biggest open-air rooftop bar in Auckland is planned for 280 Queen Street, atop the first Radisson RED Hotel in Australasia. Shoppers at Smith & Caughey’s, or theatregoers at The Civic will be able to pop across the road and soak in the sprawling views of the Aotea Arts Quarter.
Hotel Indigo has soft-opened 54 of its 225 rooms at 51 Albert Street, and we can't wait for the full opening soon, which includes a fantastic French-inspired Bistro Saine in March, and a sophisticated cocktail bar and lounge to follow. Hotel Indigo will be joined by the design-led Tribe in Fort Street, earmarked to open in the middle of this year.
(Top left: render of Hotel Indigo, top right: InterContinental, bottom: Advieh)
New Art Across the City Centre
We’ve got public art in spades across the heart of the city and now there’s more to experience. There’s a stunning portrait of Israel Adesanya on Victoria Street West, by internationally recognised New Zealand artist Owen Dippie, with the support of Heart of the City. There’s also Margarita Vovna’s Japanese-inspired mural on 25 Victoria Street West.
Over in Myers Park, Waimahara has been integrated into the landscape of the Mayoral Drive underpass. Created by Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Manu) in collaboration with others, it’s a truly unique piece of art designed to change with the weather and visitor interaction. It uses light and sound to honour Te Waihorotiu, the ancient river that flows underneath this inner-city valley.
Federal Street (south) is the home of Lost and Found by Joe Sheehan. Eight large boulders from all around New Zealand have been intricately hand-carved with everyday objects including sneakers, sunglasses and a baseball cap to encourage a sense of community and togetherness.
Between Tangihua Street to Tapora Lane are the six artworks that make up the Te Tōangaroa Mural Collection. Each of them is rich with symbolism that celebrates the connection Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has with the environment and the importance of diversity.
A pocket art guide showcasing toi Māori in the city centre can be found here.
(Top left: Lost and Found by Joe Sheehan, Top right: Waimaraha, Myers Park, Auckland – photo David St George, Bottom: Te Tōangaroa Mural Collection)
Easy Breezy Access: Getting in and around the city centre will be a whole lot easier
If you’ve visited the city centre recently, you will have seen a lot of construction happening around the Midtown area – but what is it all about? Soon you’ll be able to get a train to the Aotea Arts Quarter, better bus connections, brand-new public spaces, and best of all, new retail and hospitality spots.
(Top left: Victoria Street ramp entrance, top right and bottom: Waihorotiu Station)
Let us break it down:
Te Hā Noa will transform Victoria Street into an accessible, green space for Aucklanders and visitors to fully enjoy.
Victoria Street will host one of the entrances for Te Waihorotiu Station, It will be a breeze to head to one of our much-loved venues including The Civic, Auckland Town Hall and Q Theatre. It is also a stone’s throw from heaps of dining options, like Gorilla Kitchen or icons Elliott Stables and Tony’s Steakhouse.
Wellesley Street is also undergoing a makeover and by the end of this year, this will be an even better place to catch the bus thanks to the Wellesley Street Bus improvements. It will be near TEM and Coffee Corner if you are looking for a pick-me-up.
As well as a new train station, midtown is expected to have an improved wastewater network by 2026. Work is currently underway near Mayoral Drive, Wellesley and Victoria Streets to install a new wastewater pipeline under Queen Street, to increase the resilience and capacity of the network. These improvements will help support the increase in residents and businesses expected in midtown - and the wider city centre in the future. It is a great spot to catch some stand-up courtesy of The Classic Comedy Club. There is plenty of places to grab a bite too - from local institution Tanuki's Cave to Miso Sushi and Bentto Sushi and Donburi.
