The design, the result of a 2018 competition win by Woods Bagot, and Peddlethorp, goes well beyond traditional height restrictions and plot ratio guidelines, with the aim of “creating a building that reshapes Auckland’s skyline, changes the way people live in the inner city, and plays a key part in the redevelopment and revival of the Federal Street precinct.”

The tower at 65 Federal Street will feature 357 residential apartments and a 1000m² ground floor marketplace to help “bring the street to life” and act as a community space.

The developer and architects undertook extensive consultation with Council and mana whenua to develop a design that was not restricted by planning guidelines to ensure it would deliver significant benefits to the local economy and community.

Following this period of consultation, resource consent for the tower was granted by an independent panel under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast Track Consenting) Act 2020.

The building’s unprecedented 29:1 plot ratio is significantly greater than the traditional 13:1 ratio on inner-city sites, enabling it to maximise the potential of the site and create greater community benefits, including enhancing the Federal Street area and supporting housing supply.

The developers say positive impacts for the local community, economy and Auckland’s tourism market could not have been achieved under the traditional 13:1 plot ratio.

The design also includes a self-imposed height limit to ensure views are retained from the Sky Tower’s public observation deck out to the Waitematā Harbour.

Woods Bagot Principal and Design Leader Peter Miglis says that, despite its height, it is 65 Federal’s generosity in spirit to the streetscape and public realm that is a centrepiece of the design. “We know that the skyline defines a city’s identity, yet it is the streets — where people inhabit the city — that define its character,” says Miglis. “The transformation of Federal Street and the tower’s proximity to the City Rail Link means it will become a public destination, acting as a guiding presence for Auckland, a lighthouse for the public to orientate themselves in the CBD.”

A communal area on Level 38 with wide city views will feature a large lounge area and commercial kitchen to cater for family gatherings and community events and Level 8 will house a health and wellness centre, including a gym, pool and other amenities.

The ground floor Market Place will be home to a number of restaurants, cafes and outlets selling local produce, as well as hosting cultural festivals through to cooking classes.

“We designed the ground-floor level to be a gathering place for everyone, from the residents of the tower and those in neighbouring apartments and businesses to members of the public in general,” says Miglis.

Construction of the tower is scheduled to start in March 2024, with work completed in mid-2027.

See this related article to view the tower designs that were proposed for the site in the 2018 competition.