A sky high neighbour for the Sky Tower proposed to transform our skyline

Five designs have been revealed for a new tower on the waterfront side of the Sky Tower at 65 Federal Street, in a competition run by Australian-based property developers ICD.

The brief to the competing architects – local firm Warren & Mahoney, London-based Zaha Hadid, and Australian companies Woods Bagot, Cox Architecture and Elenberg Fraser – was for a world class mixed-use tower that will contribute to Auckland’s skyline and community containing retail, hotel and residential components. ICD asked to see high quality vertical living and innovations, unrivalled residents amenities and view lines and a complimentary relationship between adjoining buildings, local amenities and the wider environment.

Andrew Barclay of Warren and Mahoney said that the 65 Federal Street location is one of Auckland’s most exciting locations, at the epicentre of the city’s hospitality and entertainment precinct. “The project has the potential – and the responsibility – to contribute to Auckland’s increasingly vibrant inner-city life by day and by night.”

Each design came with two versions – one within the existing planning permissions and one that would require a non-compliant consent from council.

The winning design will be selected in October and ICD plans to complete the building within four years.

Cox Architecture (with WSP Opus)