Interim use of Bledisloe car park
29 September 2025
- City Centre
- Urban regeneration
- Development
Waihorotiu Station is close to completion, the City Rail Link is undergoing live testing and the former Bledisloe House will be retrofitted for quality hospitality and commercial uses.
The former Bledisloe car park will be repurposed in the meantime for temporary use as a safe amenity area for Aucklanders and visitors to our city. We answer frequently asked questions below.
Ahead of Te Waihorotiu Station’s opening in 2026, the former Bledisloe Carpark site, on the corner of Mayoral Drive and Myers Street, will be returned to Auckland Council by City Rail Link Limited for interim use. We will keep it safe, functional and easy to navigate, with clear links to Aotea Square’s arts and cultural quarter, while longer-term plans progress.
Q: When does City Rail Link Limited (CCRL) hand the site back to Auckland Council?
A: CRLL expects to hand the site back to Auckland Council at the end of November 2025.
Q: How does the Council intend to use the site?
A: Auckland Council has sold a 125-year lease for the site to Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB) who plan to develop The Symphony Centre
Until construction begins Auckland Council is looking to activate the site and is developing concept plans to deliver a safe and functional interim use for the area, that supports movement through midtown, including connections to Te Waihorotiu Station and Aotea Centre.
Options may include temporary planting, lighting, art, and other modest interventions that improve amenity.
We will provide regular updates on how the site will develop and evolve.
Q: When will the site became available again for public use?
A: We expect the site to be open to the public around mid-2026
Q: Will there still be access to Aotea Square?
A: Access to Aotea Square from Wellesley Street will remain via Bledisloe Lane and from Mayoral Drive down Myers Street.
Clear wayfinding and signage will be in place to help people heading to Aotea Square.
Q: Will there be events or activations on the site?
A: Potentially. We’re exploring temporary activations such as planters, lighting, and art to help make the space feel welcoming and lively. Any events will be planned in partnership with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and aligned with the wider Arts Quarter programme.
Q: Why not return the site to its previous use as a car park?
A: The long-term vision for midtown is a vibrant, people-focused destination. Any interim use must support safety, station access, and positive public experiences, and align with the site's future role as a high-quality urban development.
Q: How much will it cost to set up and look after a transitional site?
A: We’ll use low-cost, proven placemaking tools (including repurposing existing Auckland Council assets where possible). We aim for value for money, while ensuring adequate budget for ongoing safety and maintenance, and for providing a good experience for people visiting and moving through the area.
Q: Will the public or local businesses be engaged with about transitional uses?
A: Yes. We will take a practical approach to transitional use on the site and assess how the local businesses and residents and other stakeholders feel about what’s going on and how they use or move around the area.
Q: Who do I contact for more information about the transitional use plans?