Elliot Tower

Elliot Tower is a proposed residential skyscraper in Auckland City, New Zealand. Designed by the architect Gordon Moller, it would be the second-tallest building (after the Sky Tower) in Auckland, with its height proposed at 232m (761 feet) being 55 m higher than the next competitor, the Vero Centre. This would also make it the second highest building of the country, as well as the highest residential building." [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/8/story.cfm?c_id=8&objectid=10472886 NZ's second tallest building to reach for the Sky Tower] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Tuesday 30 October 2007, Page 1]

Elliot Tower was granted planning permission in October 2007 (with the subsequent building consents still outstanding), and will be located at the crossroads of Lower Elliot, Victoria and Albert Streets, on an empty lot which is currently being occupied by a car park and a reverse bungy ride.

However, a late 2007 Environment Court appeal had to be successfully resolved before the building could go forward. SKYCITY Auckland, owners of the nearby Sky Tower, alleged that the building would interfere with the use of communications equipment installed on the tower, as well as lead to future conflicts over privacy within the new apartments which could conceivably be seen into from the tower. Law firm Philips Fox DLA also joined the appeal, claiming the tower went against planning policies. ["SkyCity, law firm fight plan for tower" - "The New Zealand Herald", Monday 26 November 2006, Page C13] By the end of June 2008, these appeals were dropped after an out-of-court settlement, clearing the way for the Elliot to proceed. Costruction is scheduled to start in 2009, with an estimated completion date of 2013. [" [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/3/story.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10519027 Tower clears last legal obstacles] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Monday 30 June 2008]

Characteristics

The tower will principally serve as an apartment complex targeted at the upper market, with two penthouses (445 and 590 square metres)" [http://www.nbr.co.nz/home/column_article.asp?id=16709&cid=16&cname= Massive apartment tower planned ] " - "National Business Review", 14 November 2006] on the top two floors and 57 levels of apartments (all facing both west and east) for a total of about 800 residents. Three levels of retail podium and six levels of basement carparking are also proposed. The design was lauded for being particularlys eco-friendly, incorporating solar panels, carbon sink plantings to offset building service emissions, as well as a co-generation plant for energy efficiency. A rainwater-capture system is also proposed, and two sky gardens and a public garden on the retail podium are to be available for residents and customers. The sky gardens have also been mooted as breaking up the facade, providing for visual and wind movement benefits. [" [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/8/story.cfm?c_id=8&objectid=10473041&ref=rss Eco-friendly Elliot Tower to harness power of sun] " - "The New Zealand Herald ", Wednesday 31 October 2007] A proposed Albert Street underground railway station ajoins the site." [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10524692 Huge underground rail station in mid-town plan] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Friday 1 August 2008]

Construction

Following final discussions with Auckland's Urban Design Panel and other affected parties, the Elliott Tower was granted resource consent by Auckland City Council in October 2007. Its completion has been estimated for 2011, with the equivalent of around 500 full-time workers to be employed in its construction.

The constructors of Elliot Tower are Dae Ju Group, a Korean construction firm that is also working on and has plans for other buildings around the Auckland CBD area. The firm estimates a $450 million value upon completion of the tower.

References