New Zealand’s tallest residential tower officially completed

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The Pacifica is made up of 57 storeys and measures 178 metres tall. Image: Simon Devitt

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The building includes 273 apartments, plus a 35-suite hotel. Image: Simon Devitt

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Plus Architecture notes that "the twisting totem-like design on the building’s exterior resembles a traditional Maori Pikorua". — Plus Architecture notes that “the twisting totem-like design on the building’s exterior resembles a traditional Maori Pikorua”. Image: Simon Devitt

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Amenities inside The Pacifica include a heated lap pool, sauna, steam room, spa, gym, media room, residents’ lounge, library
and barbeque terrace. — Amenities inside The Pacifica include a heated lap pool, sauna, steam room, spa, gym, media room, residents’ lounge, library and barbeque terrace. Image: Simon Devitt

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Plus Architecture says, "... the idea of the harbour and of the laneway network were the two starting points for the unique design." — Plus Architecture says, “… the idea of the harbour and of the laneway network were the two starting points for the unique design.” Image: Simon Devitt

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The Pacifica is situated across Customs Street from the Britomart precinct. Image: Simon Devitt

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Render of the laneway design from Plus Architecture.

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Plus Architecture says that The Pacifica "offers a true high-end lifestyle in the heart of Auckland". — Plus Architecture says that The Pacifica “offers a true high-end lifestyle in the heart of Auckland”. Image: Render by Plus Architecture

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Plus Architecture has officially announced the completion of The Pacifica in Auckland’s CBD, measuring 178 metres high and housing over 200 apartments, with a boutique hotel and hospitality venues coming soon.

The Pacifica is situated across Customs Street from the Britomart precinct. Image: Simon Devitt

Property developers Hengyi and builders Icon began construction on the site in 2017, just across Customs Sreet from the Britomart precinct. Plus Architecture says, ”Every element of The Pacifica is inspired by its environment: the twisting totem-like design on the building’s exterior that resembles a traditional Maori Pikorua, symbolising togetherness, the shifting glass façade that mirrors the sparkling waters of the Waitemata Harbour and the archetypal Auckland laneway.”

The final building is 57 storeys, clocking in just under Commercial Bay’s 180-metre height, making it the country’s tallest residential building.

Plus Architecture believes that The Pacifica will set a new standard of inner-city living within Auckland and New Zealand more generally. Director and creative lead for the project, Ian Briggs, says, “Auckland is a fantastic city with its harbour and laneways. And so, for us, the idea of the harbour and of the laneway network were the two starting points for the unique design.”

He continues, “We were able to very naturally extend that through our site, and to represent that laneway experience within the architecture of the base of the tower, before becoming vertical elements within the skyline. It almost became quite a natural experience, rather than, what wacky shape can we make? It was: what naturally grows out of the human-centric experience of the city at street level, and how does that then grow up into the skyline?”