Challenge

In response to an undersupply of hotel accommodation in Auckland, the client was looking to develop a 250-room hotel with private residences above on an underutilised strategic mixed-use site.  Comprising of a dual fronted historic façade and adjacent to a 1800s cathedral, it was essential that the new hotel sat sympathetically within its surroundings.   

Solution

Commended for its response to the site’s heritage, WMK’s design proposes a 40-storey tower that sits harmoniously behind the historic façade. Key to the design’s success is its focus on proportion and scale while utilising simple forms and materials. The design draws on the local and historical context while contributing to the urban fabric and public realm. 

Outcome

WMK’s design sees the reincarnation of a historic site and has been well received by the council, the client, and the hotel operator. The new hotel will contribute to the fabric of the neighbourhood, paying homage to the site’s history while contributing to Auckland’s ever-changing skyline. 

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