News

You Tell Me

19 November 2008

Our new hoardings are up around the site of the East Building, so this time we thought we would do something a bit special.

Using blackboard paint to create giant blackboard letters we have posed some questions for you to answer. So far the response has been fantastic.

Some of your favourite bands include The Cardinals, Bon Jovi, Iron Maiden, Jesus, The Beatles, The Killers, The White Stripes, Kings of Leon and High School Musical (really?).

Check some pics out for yourself here, or come and tell us in person, Cnr Gore St and Tyler Sts Britomart. 

 

Sneak Peek

29 October 2008

Bare Rock & Backbones coming soon...

 

City Farmers’ Market Embraces Summer With Weekly Twilight Markets

09 October 2008

The City Farmers’ Market is celebrating the change of season with the opening of an extra evening market, starting on Wednesday October 15. The twilight markets will be held at the usual Galway Street location from 4:30 to 6:30pm every Wednesday until Easter 2009, in addition to the regular year-round Saturday morning market. Find out more here.

 

Red Bull Unleashes a New Drift Car in Britomart

09 September 2008

To celebrate the new relationship between Red Bull Motorsport and Drift Driver ‘Mad’ Mike Whiddett there was a very special unleashing demonstration in Britomart Carpark.
Click here to learn more.

 

Britomart is now on Facebook

05 September 2008

We have a Facebook page. Yay! Check it out here and become our fan.

 

ERNST & YOUNG SIGNS UP FOR MAJOR NEW BRITOMART BUILDING

01 September 2008

Professional services firm Ernst & Young has signed up to become an anchor tenant and to take naming rights to the northern tower of the new $200 million East Building on which construction has just begun at the eastern end of the Britomart precinct on Auckland’s CBD waterfront.

Ernst & Young Managing Partner, Rob McLeod, says the move reflects the growth of the firm and a desire to offer its people a first class working environment.
“We have been studying our relocation options for some time now”, says Mr McLeod.  “We had a wide range of requirements to consider and one of the deciding factors was the location. The fact that the Britomart precinct is at the centre of a transport hub will be of real benefit to our people.”

The East Building complex, which was designed by award winning architects Johnson Pilton Walker of Sydney to harmonise with the heritage buildings in the precinct, has approx. 28,000 square metres of total commercial office floor area. Peddle Thorp of Auckland are the project architects, and Hawkins Construction has already started work on the site.

Ernst & Young will move all Auckland (approximately 500 people) from its Shortland Street offices to Britomart when the new building is completed in the first quarter of 2011 – its first move in 20 years.

Ernst & Young will occupy the six top floors of the Ernst & Young building, a total of 9,500 square metres, with options over further floors.

Westpac earlier announced that it will take all of the floors of the south tower of the East building for its head office as well as taking all floors in the adjoining Charter House, whose heritage façade fronts Customs Street, a total of approx 21,500 square metres. 

Westpac will move its contact and operation centre into Charter House early next year, and its Corporate Head Office into East Building in 2011. Westpac’s buildings will be called Westpac on Takutai Square.

The ground floor of East Building will be devoted to retail activity so that only levels 1 to 3 of the northern tower remain available to lease as offices, meaning over 85% of the commercial space in East Building is now firmly committed.

Cooper and Company, which is redeveloping the Britomart precinct under an agreement with the Auckland City Council, says the deal with Ernst & Young confirms that the mixed use, waterfront CBD precinct has great appeal as a business location.

Chief executive Matthew Cockram says there is ongoing strong interest in further commercial space becoming available at Britomart, where 17 restored heritage buildings will eventually rub shoulders with seven new buildings.

“Ernst & Young’s decision is another major vote of confidence in Britomart by a leading New Zealand business organisation and we are delighted to welcome Ernst & Young on board”, he said.

Cooper and Company has purchased the former Oriental Markets site on the east side of Britomart Place to develop for car parking, retail, hotel, cinema and other amenities servicing the Britomart precinct.

 

BRITOMART HOTEL

22 August 2008

We’ve applied to the Council for a private plan change that will allow the best hotel in New Zealand to be built on Quay Street. The public consultation process is currently underway, with the first public submissions now received.

 

Britomart Transport Centre Five year Anniversary

05 August 2008

BRITOMART TRANSPORT CENTRE 5 YEAR CELEBRATION : FRIDAY 1ST AUGUST 2008
SPEECH BY PETER COOPER

Thank you very much John for that very kind introduction. And thank you also Mayor Banks for your warm words of support and for your vision in enabling Britomart to be what it is today. I would also like to extend our appreciation to the many Auckland City Councillors who both informally and formally have invested their time in understanding our process and progress here at the Britomart Precinct. We appreciate their interest and service to the City. We are very satisfied with what has been achieved to date and we are on track with our programme and commitments to Auckland City. Our programme extends to the restoration of 17 heritage buildings and the development of 7 new buildings. Heritage buildings - 6 of the 17 have been fully restored :

o    the upper floors of this building the CPO (our congratulations to the City and Jasmax in receiving this prestigious award)
o    The Northern Steamship Building
o    Union Fish
o    Maritime (our offices)
o    Levy Building
o    Charter House (completion at the end of this year)

All of these buildings have been done first because of their strategic position (in most cases corner site locations).   We believe these buildings set the standard for the balance of the Precinct.

Habitable  Buildings - 9 of the remaining heritage buildings have been restored to a habitable level as an interim measure to avoid further deterioration and to allow occupation and ensure “all the lights are on” at Britomart.  In many cases the work undertaken has been significant and includes external beautification.

o    As part of this exercise we have completed new verandahs on a portion of Customs Street more in keeping with the heritage buildings and providing expanded shop frontage for our new generation retail tenants.

o    2 of our tenants (MADE and FEDERATION) have been featured in Sportswear International Fashion Magazine which showcase the top international retail stores in the World (MADE and FEDERATION were the only 2 stores recognised in NZ).

New Build Construction
o    Charter / Customs will be complete by the end of the year – 3 months ahead of schedule.  This is a notable development in the spirit of Britomart as it integrates a new retail and office building on the heritage face of Customs Street with the comprehensive restoration of Charter House which was in serious disrepair.

o    We have broken ground on the new 43,000 sq m East Building which will be the anchor structure for the entire Precinct (a large building by any measure).

o    And later this year we hope to break ground on the adjoining Oriental Markets site which will house an even larger 53,000 sq m structure which is integrated with the Britomart Precinct Master Plan.

These 2 new projects alone have a total value in the order of $400m and are programmed to be completed ahead of the Rugby World Cup in 2011.  The Oriental site will provide car parking for 1200 cars and will help support the retail offering which is now in place and will scale rapidly in its concentration as the new buildings are completed.

Our vision for Britomart has always been “a place that has soul – where the people are bold – and the culture is cool – a place that celebrates NZ and brings together the best of many cultures”.

And so we must be bold in taking our next step which is to put before the City for its consideration the opportunity to bring to NZ the first 5 star plus International Hotel on the Seafarers site across from the wharves on Quay Street. The proposal is to integrate 2 heritage buildings with a new build tower that will rise in a slender sculptural form above the bulk of the 13 storey East Building with ‘lantern-like’ upper levels.We are in very advanced stage of negotiations with the Four Seasons Hotel Group who are regarded as the No.1 Hotel Brand in the World and who have completed all of their due diligence analysis of the Auckland and NZ market place. We are working with the World’s best international designers and architects of Four Seasons Hotels and are striving to obtain planning consents and Council approvals to enable this hotel to be completed for the Rugby World Cup in 2011. This is an ambitious goal and we are cognizant of all the issues that have to be considered and the consultation and review that is required.  However, this is deliverable if the people of Auckland believe that a hotel of this calibre is a worthwhile addition to our City.Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my personal heartfelt thanks to the people of our company.  We came together as individuals because we believed in a dream to shape an urban community unique to NZ – we are now one and our dream is becoming reality – it is based on people and we have remained steadfast in the vision of building a community and a culture we could all be proud of and believe in. The train has now left the station and we all remain on board for the journey.  I am very proud of every member of our organization for their commitment and effort.

I hope you will all collect a copy of our quarterly Britomart magazine Scenezine which Sarah has placed around the room.  It provides an insight into what we are doing at Britomart, who the people are here and the fun we are having in the process. We appreciate the support you have all provided in what we are doing.

Thank you.

 

BRITOMART SCENEZINE

28 July 2008

Edition Three is hot off the press. You can view the cool swanky online version here.
Don't forget to check out Editions One and Two while you are at it. 

 

BRITOMART IN BLOOM

18 July 2008

Hybrid Botanical Stylist is now open in Britomart. Home to gorgeous, modern and stylish floral designs plus cool retro teacups, Hybrid is located inside Eon in
Old Sofrana House. Find out more and check out some pics of the store here.

 

Friendly fire

30 June 2008

Britomart tenants competed in a friendly netball tournament against each other at high noon today. Cooper and Company came up trumps 4-2 against the New Zealand Green Building Counsel. Also playing were teams from Maersk, Westpac, Hawkins, Northern Steamship Brew Bar and City Boxing. Check out some action shots here.

 

BRITOMART HOTEL

27 June 2008

The most upmarket hotel in New Zealand is planned for right here in Britomart.
We’ve asked the Council to approve a private plan change that will allow an international five-star hotel to be built on Quay Street.

 

bye bye love

23 June 2008

Sob. After three faithful years of service, many a party, several sporting events and a concert or two it is time to say goodbye to our Pavilion.
We salute you x 

 

Video Games

05 June 2008

Britomart Streetball Videos are now online.
Watch them here on our fancy video page. 

 

get your cocktail on

29 May 2008

smith. is the latest bar to open in Britomart. An intimate cocktail/wine bar in the Levy Building that serves high tea with scones, cheese boards and britomart.org's favourite - Lamingtons!!

 

Britomart Street Ball Finals

19 May 2008

This Sunday (25th May) is the finals day of Britomart Streetball.
Make sure you come down and cheer for your favourite team.
Don't forget Goodnight Nurse will be playing! Photos from the last two weeks
are now online. Check them out here.

 

Britomart Streetball starts this weekend

05 May 2008

Britomart Streetball starts this Sunday 1-4pm, kids battle it out to show off their soccer skills and win prizes.
We have DJs playing live throughout and Goodnight Nurse will be performing on finals day - Sunday 25th May. So come down and support NZ Football.
Find out more about the event here - and it's not too late to register if you are keen to show us what you've got! 

 

Update Me. Now!

31 March 2008

Britomart.org has embraced technology and taken things to the next level.
That's right, you can now get news updates as soon as they happen via RSS. Yay!
I knew you would be excited.

Not sure what that RSS thing is? Click here for an explanation.
Want updates now? Click here or on the shiny orange logo top right.

 

Photographic Evidence

19 February 2008

Britomart rocked the Excelsior party, or shall we say the party rocked Britomart - Click here to check out some photos of how it went down.

 

Britomart to Hold Hot Party in Cool Space to Farewell the Old and Welcome the New

07 February 2008

It will be an exclusive party in a cool space – the abandoned floors of one of Auckland’s historic warehouses.

Excelsior House, the heritage building on the corner of Customs and Commerce Street, has had many lives. It started life in 1897 as a warehouse for tea, coffee and spice merchants. Since then it has housed a saddlery, kauri gum merchants, an early branch of the Old Age Pensions Office, the New Women’s Café and grillrooms.
In 1960 it became a branch of the Bank of New Zealand, but for the past 30 years it has lain empty and neglected.

Now it is about to be transformed into New York style loft apartments for committed urbanites. But before work starts, the owners, Bluewater Management, decided it would be a great space to throw a summer party.

Next Wednesday, February 13, Auckland’s advertising, design, art and society set will be out in force to say farewell to the old building, and to welcome the new.
Expect to see theatrics galore, music and live vignettes, as well as stunning pieces of art from well known New Zealand artists such as Peter Roche and Dick Frizzell.  

 

Too Cool for the Internet

29 January 2008

Someone out there in internet land decided Britomart.org
was just too special to be around - so they hacked us.
However, we are back from the clutches of our kidnappers,
recovered from the shock and ready to rock n roll as usual.
Sorry if you came looking for us and we weren't about.
(Don't worry, we missed you too)

 

 

 

BikeCentral Opens Today in Britomart

10 January 2008

BikeCentral is a unique one-stop bicycle-commuter haven where cyclists can store their bikes, have a quick shower and a coffee before heading off to work.
The concept is totally new to the city and its owners hope that the shop will encourage more people to use two-wheeled transport for their daily commute.
BikeCentral also provides a workshop area for minor repairs and has essential parts and accessories on sale to enable the smooth running of their customer’s bikes.
For those who need an extra kick after riding into the city, BikeCentral also serves a range of ready to eat food and coffee. Also available are quality bike rentals.
BikeCentral is located in the Kiwi Tavern Building

For more information visit the BikeCentral website here.

 

Happy New Year!

01 January 2008

Long may the festivities continue...

 

Elfvis is surviving the holiday season. Just.

18 December 2007

Two more Elfvis vids to check out
- the party and the hangover.

 

Noel Night Market

06 December 2007

The City Farmers’ Market is excited to announce its first Noel Night Market will be held on December 19th 2007, from 5-8pm at the usual market grounds at Britomart. The Noel Night  Market is a way to celebrate the season and give Aucklanders a chance to collect their supplies and gifts in a fun, festive environment after work.

Find out more here.

 

Elfvis at Britomart

30 November 2007

Hello Santa, hello Rudolph
This is Elfis, it was rude of
Me to not write any quicker
But a Christmas here means sinking lots of liquor

Since you sent me on secondment
I’ve found out what Mrs Claus meant
When she said don’t touch the slammers
Those six Jägermeisters hit me like a hammer

I climbed up and shook my booty
Hitched a ride home with a cutie
Tried to kiss her, but she socked me
Had to get a taxi back from out past Botany.

Now I’ve used up my allowance
So this dude taught me to breakdance
But even though my moves are stylin
The other busker’s doing better with his violin

Take me home
Oh Rudolph, Santa
Take me home
I swear it’s Fanta
From now on
Oh God I feel like living shite
I need a large flat white...

Take me home
I promise I will not steal toys
Or eat treats meant for girls and boys
I’ll even shovel reindeer poo
And hose the sleigh down too...

Wait a minute, here’s an invite
Fancy vodka party tonight
Two Berocca, gee that’s better –
Rudolph, Santa, kindly disregard this letter!

Check out what Elfvis has been up to here. 

 

Check it out

21 November 2007

Our new video page has just been launched.
Take a look at videos of what has been happening down here
- events, TV shows, TV commercials and music videos. 
Enjoy.

 

Now Open in Britomart

22 August 2007

We are pleased to let you know that we have three more shops to check out in Britomart.

Gubb & Mackie (Naval Tailors) in the Bucklands Building
Federation (Fashion) in the Barrington Building
Eon Design Centre (Design, Innovation, Gallery) in Old Sofrana House

 

We have a winner!

03 August 2007

Congratulations to the Northern Steamship Co Brew Bar who walked away
with the Crown for Downtown at Britomart.
Luke 'The Shore Thing' Shore won the title of King in an action packed fight
against Burton 'The Real Deal' Worth from Aveia.

Also fighting on the night were:
Peter De Nys vs Boyd Wason
Sarah Shawell Van Der Niet vs Jasmine Barkway
John Walters vs Michael Dreaver
Te Kauenga Lee vs Kahukura Bentson
Alexis Pritchard vs Sabrina Ostawari
Kris Gaut vs Jeremy Holmes
Michael Wood vs Mark Strang

Thanks to all those who came along to support the charities
- just over $8800 was raised for Ronald McDonald House Auckland
& just over $7800 for NZ Amateur Boxing

Images of the event can be viewed here

 

Find a Random Polaroid?

13 July 2007

Sweet. You have come to the right place.
Check it out for yourself...

 

Eon Design Centre are relocating to Britomart

31 May 2007

Britomart are excited to be welcoming Eon Design Centre to the
precinct to complement the other retail stores.
Eon represents an excellent example of high quality New Zealand
focused design, exhibited in contemporary furniture / homewares / fashion
and interior consultancy.
The store will open in September in Old Sofrana House.
Stay tuned for more info. 

 

YOU CAN NOW LIVE IN BRITOMART!

28 February 2007

Loft style apartments and live/work office suites
First release coming soon.
Click here for more info.

 

 

Congratulations to all our winners!

26 February 2007

We are happy to congratulate:

Gloria from Blockhouse Bay
who will be spending an exclusive day out at Britomart during the Auckland Festival.

Congratulations also goes to our runners up, who have each won a voucher for
the Northern Steamship Co Brew Bar & Restaurant:

A. Millar from Torbay
Hester from Highland Park
T. Wallace from Torbay
Trudy from Forrest Hill

Thank you to all those who entered our Aucklander promotion.

 

Fashion Store MADE is welcomed to Britomart

08 December 2006

MADE opened their doors last night in Masonic House. The fashion retailer sells high end fashion by the likes of Lacoste, Eley Kishimoto, Sass & Bide, Tsubi Eyewear, Gorman, To Sir With Love, 18th Amendment and Made by MAW (the stores own label). MADE is the only store in Auckland stocking Karen Walker, and are exclusively stocking British label Luella. Ph 366 1693

 

Storeroom is now open!

07 December 2006

Storeroom, located in Masonic House (30-32 Customs St East) has just opened in Britomart. The store stocks a wicked range including brands like Huffer and Marc Jacobs for Vans.
Ph: 366 1695

 

Britomart’s Award Winning Tenants

04 December 2006

Insight Creative won the 'Best International Annual Report' at the international ARC Awards for their creative design work on the Lion Nathan Annual Report.   
Visit them here.

Artist Simon Payton made the finals of the NZ Painters and Printmakers Awards 2006

 

Debut Opens in Britomart

23 November 2006

New fashion store Debut opened its doors in Britomart today. The shops sells exclusive women and mens fashion including labels like Hugo Boss and store brand Debut. Debut can be found in the Barrington Building 10-12 Customs St East

 

 

Auckland City’s First Farmers’ Market Opens in Britomart

09 November 2006

On November 18, the City Farmers’ Market will open in Britomart.
With direct access to public transport (as well as plenty of car-parks),
this is the only authentic farmers’ market for Auckland central. 

What: 
 - Fresh, seasonal, quality fruit and vegetables
 - Eggs, fish, meat
 - Olives and olive oils
 - Condiments
 - Coffee
 - Artisan bread
 - PLUS much more direct from the growers, farmers and makers
 - Live music

Vendors may only sell goods they have grown, farmed, baked or caught themselves from a locally defined area. No crafts, just food.

When:   
Saturdays from November 18, 8.30am – 12.30pm

Where:   
Britomart Precinct
Corner of Galway and Gore Sts, Britomart

Farmers’ markets are a vibrant, community focused alternative for those who like to eat fresh, local produce with the knowledge of exactly where their food was grown.

Visit The City Farmers' Market Website for more information

 

 

Santos Cafe Praised in Sunday Star Times

16 October 2006

Santos cafe was awarded 4/5 by the Sunday Star Times yesterday. In particular the coffee, delicious food and great service caught the attention of the reviewer, who described Santos as being 'airy, comfortable and fresh with promise'. Visit Santos Maritime here.

 

Urban Loft now open in Britomart

12 October 2006

Urban Loft, Briscoes’ upmarket lifestyle store opened yesterday in Britomart. Stocking a variety of exclusive homeware with feature window displays designed by the likes of Trelise Cooper the store is located in the ground floors of the Australis and Nathan Buildings at 36-42 Customs Street East.
Where is that?

 

Westpac on the Move

04 October 2006

Westpac CEO Ann Sherry today announced the move of Westpac’s New Zealand head office and North Island contact and operations centres to a single, flagship site in Auckland City’s historic Britomart precinct between 2009 and 2011.

Westpac has entered into a NZ$100 million build-and-lease agreement with the Britomart group through to 2021 to construct and lease two linked buildings - a new contact and operations centre by 2009, and a new corporate office by 2011.

Together the buildings will have a floor area of more than 16,000 square metres. Construction will begin in mid-2007.

The move to Britomart will provide a world-class working environment featuring the latest technology and built to very high environmental standards.

"Today is a milestone for Westpac in New Zealand," said Ann Sherry. "It’s a huge investment and a tangible example of our commitment to giving our people a great place to work."

"Our new Britomart location will enable Westpac to bring its North Island contact and operations centres together under one roof. This will encourage new ways of working and interacting, benefiting employees, customers and the business as a whole."

Westpac’s move to Britomart highlights its support for the regeneration of this historic area of the city, with Westpac’s new buildings setting a benchmark for future development in the area.

Clever design has enabled historic Charter House, a celebrated example of turn-of the-century architecture, to be preserved and integrated into the new Westpac contact and operations centre building.

The new facilities will be ideally placed for public transport. Built as an integral part of a precinct around a pedestrian square, the new buildings will be close to shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Bluewater is breathing modern life into the heritage precinct to create a vibrant atmosphere for the long-term enjoyment and use of New Zealanders.

Matthew Cockram, CEO of Bluewater Management Company said: "We are delighted with Westpac’s decision to relocate to Britomart. It is a wonderful endorsement of the joint vision that we and Auckland City have for the Precinct."

Mr Cockram continued: "This is a deal that has been put together very smoothly thanks to the willingness of the parties and the contribution of all concerned, particularly that of Auckland City, the mayor and deputy mayor in helping us work through any issues involved."

It is planned that staff will begin to move into the first of the new buildings to be completed from 2009, with full migration completed by 2011. Westpac’s South Island operations centre in Christchurch will not be relocated.

Contact:

Mark Watts

Media Relations Manager

Westpac New Zealand

+64 27 278 8177

 

Auckland’s newest shopping zone

02 October 2006

Auckland ’s newest – and most interesting – shopping precinct is about to change the way the city’s residents and visitors shop.

With four heritage buildings already refurbished and occupied, Britomart is quickly becoming home to some of New Zealand’s finest fashion and design stores, galleries and cafes.

By the end of October, nine buildings will be fully leased to businesses ranging from homeware, lifestyle and fashion retail to art and photography studios to food, beverage and entertainment operators.

Openings taking place between now and Christmas include:

• High-end homeware store Urban Loft
• Design gallery and wine bar Aveia
• Santos café
• MADE fashion retailer
• Debut fashion retailer (moving from High Street)

They join furniture and design store Markt, the Northern Steamship Brew Bar and Restaurant and the Schooner Tavern which have already opened.