High above Aotea Square and what is likely to become Auckland’s busiest transport link, Te Waihorotiu Station, a new vertical village is under way: a place to live, work, play.
The Symphony Centre is a landmark $600 million urban regeneration project led by local development and project management firm, RCP, and international developer, Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad.
Designed by architecture firm Woods Bagot, it is part of a major redevelopment of the Aotea arts precinct that will include the renovation of heritage-listed Bledisloe House and the activation of connecting laneways to create a dynamic urban centre. The building will sit above Waihorotiu Station, which forms part of the City Rail Link.
“We are really excited to be involved in delivering The Symphony Centre … reimagining the Auckland skyline, and putting our mark on the future of the city for our children and our children’s children,” says RCP director, Cristean Monreal. “It will be an icon for generations to come. New Zealand isn’t known for doing mixed-use buildings; there are a few of them around, but nothing as ambitious or as world-first for New Zealand as The Symphony Centre.”
The shape and the massing of the building are derived from the need to ensure the construction casts no shadows onto Aotea Square — a challenge that became an opportunity: the building’s distinctive, irregular facade and the sweeping gestures of the roofline allowed for the creation of unique tenancy spaces on the commercial floors.
The facade will be made from glass-reinforced concrete in hues that reference Waitemata sandstone. An embossed poutama pattern by local artist Graham Tipene will be cut into vertical fins on the facade, allowing the building to produce varied celestial patterns throughout the day.
“We believe that single-use buildings are a thing of the past. So, from very early on, we were always interested in creating a precinct that really engages with a variety of demographics.
The Symphony Centre does that by providing a cohesive urban living environment where residents can seamlessly integrate their daily activities within a single structure,” says Woods Bagot director, Bruno Mendes.
The top 10 storeys of the building will be occupied by 78 high-end apartments and penthouses, with commercial tenancies below, and retail and hospitality spaces on the lower levels.
The apartments, each with a bespoke and unique floor-plan, will have stunning views of Waitemata Harbour. Built to achieve a 6 Homestar rating, they will embrace sustainable design principles and timeless elegance, with timber flooring and joinery meeting natural stone, while beautifully textured walls and tiles will imbue a sense of sanctuary high above the city.
It will be a place where residents can live, work, and play — New Zealand’s first true vertical village.
“This is a city-shaping project that embodies innovation, design, and collaboration. Together, we are building a legacy that will redefine the heart of Auckland and create a vibrant, thriving community for generations to come,” MRCB’s Ravi Krishnan says.
Located at the intersection of Mayoral Drive and Wellesley Street, the premium residential offering is due for completion in Q2 2029. The residences are for sale now, and their interiors can be viewed in person in the Symphony Centre Immersion Gallery on the ground floor of Bledisloe House.
