Aotea Square redevelopment
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Construction updates
The rockets are coming down
As part of the Aotea Square redevelopment project, the
rockets on the SkyCity Metro building will be removed.
To effectively complete necessary waterproofing of the
Civic car park roof, it was necessary to remove the rockets. As the structures
add no material support, Orchard NZ Diversified Property Fund Trust, owners of
the SkyCity Metro building have requested the council not to reinstate them.
They instead are using this as an opportunity to enliven
the southern façade of the building to the redeveloped Aotea Square. This will
improve access to the square from SkyCity Metro and better integrate the
southern side of the building that faces the square.
Hawkins Construction will start removing the rockets on 1
March and retile the surface.
The current phase of construction will have the greatest impact on the public in and around Aotea Square. We are doing our utmost to minimise disruption, but there will be some immediate requirements that will limit access to and around the square. This will allow critical repair work on the Civic Car Park roof and will allow us to meet our goal of re-opening the square in October 2010.
Check out the Access around Aotea Square map for more information on how to get around. We will ensure that walkways are always well sign posted and access routes are clearly marked.
Access around Aotea Square map (210kb PDF)
effective from 15 February 2010.
Access from the Civic Car Park
The stairwell and lift from the Civic Car Park to the back of the Auckland Town Hall is closed and is expected to reopen by May 2010.
The lifts and stairwells at Aotea Centre and SkyCity Metro will remain open. The lifts and stairs at SkyCity Metro will be kept open until midnight daily.
The civic pedestrian stairwell will also be open.
The Bledisloe stairwell will reopen on 15 February 2010.
All access between the Civic Administration Building and Queen Street will be via SkyCity Metro, or via Mayoral Drive.
Aotea Centre lifts and stairwell opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7.00am to 6pm
- On weekends and after hours, the building will open 90 minutes before a performance for event patrons only.
The entrance to SkyCity Metro from the Bledisloe walkway (Esquires side) and the entrance to Starbucks from Queen Street will be open as follows:
- Monday to Friday: 7am to midnight
Saturday and
- Sunday: 9am to midnight.
Mobility access around the square
Some pedestrian and mobility routes around the square have been altered due to construction demands. However, visitors are assured of access to all buildings and businesses at all times in and around the square. Informational and directional signage is in place in the Civic car park and around the square to facilitate mobility.
For mobility access to and from the car park, please use the lifts at Aotea Centre and SkyCity Metro.
Mobility access map (218kb PDF) effective from
the 5 February 2010
Access around the square
- The Bledisloe walkway to the Aotea Square is closed. Access to THE EDGE and the temporary staircase (on the Bledisloe end of Aotea Centre) remains open. However, access between Queen Street and Bledisloe House will be via SkyCity Metro.
- The walkway behind the Town Hall is closed for landscaping. There will be no access to the Civic car park via the Town Hall lifts and stairwell due the walkway being closed. The walkway and stairwell are expected to re-open by May 2010.
- When walking between the Bledisloe House and the Civic Administration Building, please make use of the temporary stairs, which are situated adjacent to the Bledisloe open-air car park. Mobility access between Bledisloe House and the Civic Administration Building is still available via the lifts at Aotea Centre.
- Retail and entertainment businesses in and around the square will also remain open during the two year construction period; Aotea Centre, SkyCity Metro, Auckland Town Hall and the Civic administration building.
Published February 2010
