The Future of the Ferry Building

by Lynne McCarthy

The future of the Auckland Ferry Building will be decided at the November meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board. We know that any redevelopment must not affect the external appearance of the building, but what the interior will become is still unknown.

Four companies will present to the Auckland Harbour Board their final plans for the restoration of this famous Auckland landmark. They are Challenge Property Developments, Mainzeal Development, Cashmore Associates and John Hackshaw and Associates. These four were chosen from the original redevelopment, as the original concepts they put forward offered the broadest base of ideas. The plans of each of these developers is varied, with two of the companies favouring retail and office development while the others favour a mixture of retail, office, and spaces for educational and cultural events.

The Ferry building, which has been a gracious landmark on Auckland's waterfront for the past 73 years, first became an issue of major public concern in 1982 when estimates of $11 million were bandied about as being the price of its restoration. There was a public outcry and general agreement that the estimate was high. It will be interesting to know the estimated costs of the proposals presently under consideration.

The restoration of the building comes at a time when Aucklanders are amazed at the speed with which many of the city's old buildings are being demolished. It is therefore with eager anticipation that we await the Board's decision as to the most appropriate scheme — the result which will be published in the next issue of Home and Building.