A precinct on the rise: New community vision for Uptown
Brent Kennedy of the Uptown Business Association says, “We are lucky to have a number of businesses and people in our area that are passionate about architecture, urban planning and design.”
The success of the Uptown precinct will rest on the retention of its existing character and respectful layering of its history within its current urban fabric.
Once construction of the Mt Eden City Rail Link station is complete, over 100,000 square metres of land will be made available for development in Uptown.
Find your copy of Uptown Magazine alongside the July/August issue of Architecture NZ.
Partner content: The demand for inner city-living and development around the new City Rail Link station is transforming the neighbourhood.
The City Rail Link won’t be completed until 2024, but already it’s reshaping the Uptown precinct, via the redevelopment of the Mt Eden railway station and its surrounding land. The area encompasses Auckland’s Newton, Grafton and Eden Terrace. One of the oldest parts of town is going to become a new part of town.
Many commercial properties are being converted to residential apartments as people realise the attraction of being close to the city centre. Once construction of the station is complete, over 100,000 square metres of land will be made available for development into homes for more Uptown people.
Thinking towards the future, the Uptown Business Association has been sponsoring a “community visioning” process intended to draw out ideas from local residents, workers and business owners. “Uptown has a great combination of history and possibility. It’s up to us to protect what we value and shape an exciting future,” says Brent Kennedy from the Association. “We love the sense of discovery that comes with the precinct and its destination stores, celebrated cafes, restaurants and bars.” As the number of residents rises, thought needs to be applied to services and facilities to support the community. Many of whom decide not to own a car.
Following feedback from the community, the Association has established six pillars for its vision:
- Keep the character and stay edgy
- Make moving easy
- Grow in Uptown
- Housing that works for everyone
- Grow differently, together
- Foster emerging and creative business
The success of the Uptown precinct will rest on the retention of its existing character and respectful layering of its history within its current urban fabric. Both Local and Central government and all their agencies are making decisions that impact on the development of the urban environment and community.
“We are lucky to have a number of businesses and people in our area that are passionate about architecture, urban planning and design” says Brent. “We’ve been able to use this collective experience to reach an understanding of the numerous stakeholders we need to talk with. With Uptown we have a rare opportunity to redefine a historic area of Auckland”.
The July/August issue of Architecture NZ comes with a copy of Uptown Magazine, which features stories on the neighbourhood’s design community.
To keep up to date on Uptown’s progress, join their mailing list by emailing [email protected].
ArchitectureNow works with a range of partners in the A&D supply sector to source appropriate content for the site. This article has been supported by the Uptown Business Association.
