Auckland’s tallest timber building will now rise over the Karangahape Road (K-Rd) gravel pit, minutes from the Te Karanga-a-Hape Central Rail Link station, after the James Kirkpatrick Group (JKG) finally secured consent to build an 11-storey cross-laminated timber (CLT) development in the heart of the city.
Wood Central understands that construction will begin in early 2027, after JKG reached an agreement with the Auckland City Council on Friday. The deal comes after JKG took the council to the Environmental Court earlier this year to challenge the initial rejection of the project.
JKG managing director James Kirkpatrick said the outcome would deliver immediate economic benefits and long-term value for Aucklanders: “This development will create a new benchmark for sustainable urban design and construction in New Zealand and will enable the city to realise the full social and economic potential of the City Rail Link,” Kirkpatrick said. “With retail and office space for over 800 Aucklanders, it will attract top-tier tenants, create jobs, and shape a dynamic urban environment that will be a catalyst for the rejuvenation of the K-Rd precinct.”
Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, Kirkpatrick said the group worked closely with council officials to demonstrate how the building would enhance the area while “being sympathetic to the local environment.”
Already, an independent economic impact report estimates the development will inject $135 million into the local economy and create more than 1,000 jobs during its four-year construction phase. Once completed, it is expected to contribute an additional $13.3 million annually to the K-Rd precinct.
Designed by internationally acclaimed local architects Fearon Hay, the building is targeting a 6 Green Star sustainability rating, one of the highest benchmarks for environmentally responsible construction: “JKG has worked collaboratively with council representatives to address their concerns and agree on a resolution, and Aucklanders can feel confident there has been a robust process to reach this resolution,” he said.
Mayor Wayne Brown Slams Initial Rejection
The approval follows months of controversy. In March, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown criticised the council’s initial decision to reject the $100 million scheme, calling it “mad, bizarre, and foolish.” Independent commissioners had raised concerns about the building’s size, scale, and its impact on the surrounding area.
Speaking to The Post, Brown condemned the process and the individuals behind the ruling: “There was a time when those were semi-retired surveyors, planners and engineers with plenty of practical experience, but those days have gone too,” Brown said. “Attend a few courses and bingo, you’re a commissioner, bringing your lack of practical experience plus all your inbuilt prejudices to the process and, with it, some fairly weird and unexpected results.”
- To learn more about the scheme, click here for Wood Central’s special feature from earlier this year.
