Media release

Wednesday, March 30 2011

Eighty per cent of Auckland’s new waterfront destination leased

Eighty per cent of Auckland’s newest waterfront destination, North Wharf in Wynyard Quarter, has been leased by a variety of authentic, seafood-influenced eateries.

“North Wharf is the only north facing wharf on the waterfront which will soon be available for Aucklanders to enjoy,” says John Dalzell, Chief Executive of Waterfront Auckland.

“Unlike other wharves, this area gets all day sun and opens out to a new water’s edge promenade. It will provide a new experience for Aucklanders and visitors alike.”

Tenants so far include Marvel Grill, i Sushi and Yakitori Restaurant, Live Fish, The Conservatory, Peter Parkin, MacGregor Brothers Café, Urban Turban and I-Storm Gelato. To complete the offering one other eatery is being sought.

“North Wharf’s location right on Auckland’s waterfront makes it absolutely unique and the mix of operators so far is exceptional,” says Mr Dalzell.

“This is an exciting, timely and limited opportunity for one or two more eateries to become part of North Wharf, at a time when New Zealand’s economy is well into recovery mode in this sector. With the RWC2011 coming, and the revitalisation of the rest of the Jellicoe Street area, North Wharf will do a very busy trade.”

The revitalisation of North Wharf brings together a fresh, new concept for Auckland’s waterfront, which retains the character of the working wharf and combines it with a new style of alfresco dining.

The new buildings currently being constructed on North Wharf have been designed by award-winning local architects Fearon Hay, who have taken their inspiration from the area’s industrial past and its rare water’s edge location.

The buildings have been set back from the wharf edge, creating a wide promenade where people can enjoy a lazy stroll, sit and have a coffee or lunch, or watch the fishing boats unload their catch.

By August this year when North Wharf opens, the rest of the first stage of Wynyard Quarter’s revitalisation will be largely complete. It will transform Jellicoe Street into a

waterfront boulevard and open up a whole new area for Aucklanders to enjoy by RWC 2011.

Construction has already begun on Wynyard Crossing, the interim pedestrian and cycling bridge over Viaduct Harbour, and work on Gateway Plaza is underway. The plaza, which is adjacent to the Viaduct Events Centre, will include seating, artwork and steps down to the water’s edge.

The Viaduct Events Centre, which provides a hub for events such as the Volvo Ocean Race and other events Aucklanders currently enjoy in Wynyard Quarter including the Seafood Festival, Auckland International Boat Show and Fashion Week, is also progressing well.

Other events are currently being considered to ensure this part of Auckland’s waterfront is a hive of year-round activity with a range of activities to suit everyone, including markets along Jellicoe Street.

Also to be complete by RWC2011 is Silo Park at the western end of Jellicoe Street, which will be a green, public open space where people can relax, enjoy the views out to the Harbour Bridge, watch the marine industry at work, explore the cement silos, and where children can enjoy the playground.

By then electric trams will also have made a comeback to Auckland’s waterfront with single-track loop initially circuiting Jellicoe Street, Halsey Street, Gaunt Street and Daldy Street, with plans to eventually link to Britomart and Queens Wharf.

By 2013 when ASB Bank’s headquarters is completed on the corner of Halsey and Jellicoe streets, a further 1300 people will be working in Wynyard Quarter. Over the next 15 years this is expected to increase to a total of 14,000, with a further 7000 people living in Wynyard Quarter.

To find out more about the limited opportunities still available at North Wharf, please visitwww.waterfrontauckland.co.nz, or contact Mike Hammer at Match Realty on 021 688 038.

-ends-

Issued by:

John Dalzell                                                                         Melanie McKay

Chief Executive                                                                 Star Public Relations

Waterfront Auckland                                                       T: (09) 912 7827

T: (09) 336 8820                                                                 M: 021 0200 8550

Editors’ note: Waterfront Auckland is an Auckland Council CCO and leads the strategic approach to the development of Auckland’s waterfront, consistent with Auckland Council’s vision. Waterfront Auckland is the planning and design division charged with the delivery of the Waterfront Plan.

North Wharf tenants:

MacGregor Brothers Ltd currently operates two cafes in central Auckland – Reslau at Elliot Stables and McGregor Brothers Kitchen in Wellesley Street – and will be opening a high quality espresso bar that also offers takeaway coffee, and includes a range of homemade baking and light lunches and snacks made on the premises.

Arenas Blancas Ltd, owners of The Attic at Mission Bay, will be establishing The Conservatory at North Wharf, a wine bar and restaurant with a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere where there will be areas for lounging, dining and having a drink. Open for brunch, lunch, snacks and drinks during the day, in the evening The Conservatory will offer a gastro/bistro-style menu, cocktails and a premium selection of draught beers.

Marvel Grill, owned by Alisdair Gribben of Vivace fame and his partner Wendy Sutherland, Marvel Grill aims to be a warm, friendly gathering place where the food and beverages constantly deliver what they promise and the service is personalised, attentive and knowledgeable. Diners select their meat or fish, sides and sauces, and enjoy the experience of watching it cooked on an open grill.

Live Fish has operated alongside Auckland Fish Market for six years and is the only eatery in the country that offers Hong Kong alfresco seafood dining and has a no menu approach. The concept of the family-run business is that cooking is a fine art so should not be dictated by a set menu. A few pages introduce diners to best selling dishes and different cooking styles, and then they order whatever they would like.

Peter Parkin has owned, developed and managed a number of bars and eateries in Wellington, including Flanagans in Courtney Place and The Back Bencher and is now looking to bring an exciting new hospitality concept to Auckland.

Urban Turban is a casual dining concept with a focus on high quality food and service. Indian Cuisine is served in the Bombay street tapas style and complemented with local and international wines, whiskeys and lagers. Owner/operator Glen Giroux has fused the fresh and vibrant taste of Mumbai street food with an open-style kitchen and takeaway window that will bring the customer closer to the cuisine.

i Sushi and Yakitori Restaurant will give people the chance to see their yakitori and sushi being hand and machine made, as well as choose their own fillings before the sushi is rolled. The food, which will also include salads and hot Japanese food, is designed to be taken away, but express lunches and bento boxes for dinner will also be offered.

I-Storm Gelato currently operates its first organic gelato shop from Chancery Square, and also supplies its products to another gelato store in Broadway, Newmarket. Its gelato, in a range of speciality flavours, is made from organic milk, combined with ingredients imported from Italy to guarantee quality and taste.