The design of a $200 million Auckland waterfront hotel was unveiled at a special luncheon for the visiting Chinese President, Xi Jinping, on Friday 21 November. Park Hyatt Auckland Hotel, designed by Singapore-based studio AR+D in conjunction with Bossley Architects, is scheduled to open in 2017. 

The six-storey hotel, to be built by Chinese company Fu Wah International Group in partnership with Waterfront Auckland, will be located on the current Team New Zealand site on Halsey Street. The 25,000m² space will comprise 190 rooms, a ballroom, business centres and entertainment facilities including rooftop restaurant, a health centre and a day spa. English practice Conran + Partners has been commissoned to design the interior spaces.

Fu Wah International Group President Mr Chiu Yung said the group would invest around $200 million in the project, with $2.5 million committed to the development of a public space and art display in the area around the hotel in Wynyard Quarter, to provide public access to the marina and water.

“The site of the hotel is special – right on the water of one of the world’s finest harbour settings – so we feel a responsibility to build a landmark hotel. The design is one which meets high environmental standards with an emphasis on unique New Zealand features developed in collaboration with the one of New Zealand’s most highly regarded architects. We are thrilled to be involved in a building and hotel of this scale and quality,” Yung said.

Asia Pacific, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts senior advisor Larry Tchou said the company is excited to share the announcement of a Park Hyatt hotel in Auckland.

“Auckland is a key tourist and business destination and we are honoured to collaborate with Fu Wah and Auckland Waterfront for this landmark luxury development. This has been an exciting year for the Park Hyatt brand and we are committed to continue to create presence in culturally rich cities like Auckland,” Tchou said.

Waterfront Auckland CEO, John Dalzell, said the five-star international-standard hotel exemplifies what the Wynyard Quarter revitalisation is all about.

“The bar was set high with this project: an exceptional design to complement the award-winning designs of other buildings and public spaces delivered to date, the investor was willing to look long term and had an appreciation of the importance of building sustainably,” Dalzell said.

Key facts:

• Park Hyatt Auckland will be the first Park Hyatt hotel in New Zealand.
• Chinese visitors make up the second largest group of travellers to New Zealand after visitors from Australia. This is partly due to increased air capacity from the two direct carriers, China Southern Airlines and Air New Zealand. 
• Park Hyatt Auckland will be nestled in a prime waterfront location on Halsey Street, Wynyard Quarter.
•  Inspired by the surroundings and the cultural assets of Auckland, the architecture and design concept of Park Hyatt Auckland reflects Auckland’s diverse history, natural beauty and the richness of New Zealand’s Māori heritage.
• Park Hyatt Auckland will be a destination that connects strongly with the local community. 
• The hotel will feature approximately 190 guestrooms, three food and beverage outlets, event spaces, a spa and fitness centre and a 25-metre pool.