Exciting projects.

Did you know the various projects that are happening in Auckland's waterfront?

I have blogged about Silo Park before but there are also other exciting projects that will make the waterfront a much better place.

The Waterfront Auckland website has good descriptions and updates of what is currently being done and the future plans for the waterfront.

The most popular project is The Cloud or Party Central on Queen's Wharf. It is visible on the Viaduct now and it is slowly coming to life. The Cloud will be used for the upcoming RWC 2011 as an international media lounge and as a Tourism NZ i-site. At the moment, The Could is looking like an out-of-place slug-shaped structure on the Viaduct but I am still excited to see the finished development on this once industrial wasteland.

What Queen's wharf would look like with the revamp of Shed 10 and construction of The Cloud.
Photo Source: Waterfront Auckland.

The Viaduct Events Centre is at Halsey St. in the Viaduct Harbour. The Events Centre will host banquets, concerts, conferences, exhibitions, trade shows, weddings and other major events. It will be open by August 2011. Though it is not finished yet, bookings are already being accepted. There are more information available on their website.

The plan for the Viaduct Events Centre.
Photo source: Waterfront Auckland.

Close to the Viaduct Events Centre would be the new development of the North Wharf. Doesn't it look inviting?!

The North Wharf will be full of shops, restaurants, cafes that will cater to everyone's interests.
Photo source: EyeonAuckland.

Opposite the North Wharf will be Silo Park and Gateway Plaza. Gateway Plaza will be the redeveloped Tank Farm. It will be an amazing public open space that incorporates modern design. It will be unique to Auckland because the Plaza allows people to access the water via steps. See for yourself below:

The Plaza incorporates old shipping containers into the new open space.
Photos from Waterfront Auckland.

Last but not the least are Trams! Yes, there will be trams along the new waterfront developments (It will loop around Jellicoe St, Halsey St, Gaunt St and Daldy St.). The Heritage Trams will be operative during the RWC.

Construction is going on now in terms of installing the tramway lines. More photos on the EyeonAuckland website.
Photo source: Waterfront Auckland.

Whether you support the RWC and the implications that comes with it, you can't deny that the upcoming event has facilitated these ground breaking developments in Auckland's waterfront. Looking at these projects makes me think that Auckland's urban environment is definitely changing for the better.

There is a cool timeline of the Wynyard Quarter on the Waterfront Auckland website. Make sure you check it out!