Saving Auckland’s Sheds
By Design Daily Team,
It seems Auckland is set to hold onto its historic and much loved sheds at Queens Wharf after the Auckland Regional Council (ARC) voted to try and save the sheds.
The ARC is commissioning its architects to undertake urgent work on options to retain and refurbish Shed 10 as a cruise ship terminal on Queens Wharf, alongside a temporary "party central" structure for Rugby World Cup 2011.
The Government and ARC were singing a slightly different tune in April this year when the two agreed to remove Sheds 10 and 11, and in their place build a temporary structure named the “cloud” at a cost of $9.6 million.
The Government has told the ARC that it will support a move to restore Shed 10, if it can be accommodated alongside the "cloud".
"Retaining Shed 10 alongside the temporary Rugby World Cup structure is a feasible and a very positive option for Aucklanders," says ARC Chairman Mike Lee.
"It means we keep our options open on the future redevelopment of the wharf, while enabling the region to capitalise on the $234 million economic windfall from the cruise industry over the next two years. Plans for Rugby World Cup can also proceed with certainty."
Lee says the council has worked hard over the past six weeks to convince its joint venture partner of the extra value offered by its $17.8 million proposal to renovate Shed 10, which was developed in consultation with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully says he is comfortable with the Auckland Regional Council exploring options that involve moving and protecting Shed 10 at their cost, so long as they do not risk the Government's plans for an appropriate entertainment venue during the Rugby World Cup.
"It is frustrating that the sheds that the ARC regarded as 'old and cheap and nasty' are now the subject of last-ditch attempts to change course," says McCully.
Comments
Sam Allan
“Wow, I've just been to Auckland in New Zealand and we saw two amazing sheds.”
I don't think so.
thinktank
I went to Queen's Wharf last week to actually take a look at the sheds, and the wharf. You are only admitted to Shed 10 at the moment. I thought it a great shape in a great environment that needs the inspiration of a great modern architect to transform it into a memorable space for Auckland today and into the future. I'm not quite sure where the 'Rugby Central'
or 'Party Central' issue comes into the debate. But I am sure a liner terminal could be part of any planning for Shed 10 although I believe there is a question mark over appropriate wharf size and water depth and so whether another site would be better than Queen's? What did strike me when walking around the wharf site was the extreme weather conditions it is subject to. Last week it was dry, but the wind off the harbour was quite fierce and the sunlight/glare factor was totally oppresive. I would just hope Auckland weather, whatever the season, is taken into account in planning for the wharf and a shade and shelter factor incorporated. Pretty uncomfortable out there otherwise. ps Just a thought but is not party Central' likely to be the Viaduct, Aotea Square and bars with big screens anyway?
Lee
Didn't anyone in Auckland visit the NZ International Arts Festivals' shed conversion on the Wellington waterfront this year? Shed 6 - most definitely an “old cheap and nasty” old warf shed was converted for 3 weeks into a theatre venue cum festival club cum bar. If RWC events gurus looked to the theatre industry they'd see all sorts of options for creating a temporary converted space that looks great and does the job while showcasing a bit of kiwi ingenuity and dare i say it conserves resources for something more long lasting.
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