SKYCITY is one of New Zealand’s most visited tourist destinations, so the redevelopment of adjacent Federal Street and the Sky Tower Plaza will improve the visitor experience for many people – tourists and Aucklanders alike. The design approach was to reduce clutter and make more space available for visitors and businesses in the street.

The Federal Street project focused on the rejuvenation of the public space in the block between Wellesley and Victoria Streets as part of the developing street life along the city’s laneway network including the growing range of food and beverage outlets in the locality. The Sky Tower Plaza was redeveloped as part of the project.

Boffa Miskell led the consultant design team to deliver a pedestrian-focused street that also maintains its required local servicing and traffic functions. The project also includes the Southern Hemisphere’s first-ever circular green wall, pioneering the use of native species in the city centre.

The team was involved in various consultation forums, providing information and facilitating engagement between client representatives, project stakeholders, the general public and institutional organisations such as RNZFB and accessibility advocacy groups.

The project has transformed the street into a public space, supporting high-quality eateries and entertainment as well as a place for visitors and the community to gather; supporting the Auckland Council’s vision of Auckland becoming the world’s most liveable city.

Our role
Landscape Architecture, Urban Design

The facts
Client: Auckland Council + SKYCITY (PPP)
Project team    
Michael Hawes
John Potter
Yoko Tanaka
Cathy Challinor
Worked with    
JAWA Structures – Civil and Structural engineering
Traffic Planning Consultancy – Transport Engineering
GreenAir – Greenwall Design
Lighting Design Partnership – Lighting and Electrical Design