Symphony Centre & Bledisloe House developments

2020 - 2028

City Centre
In Progress

Two complementary developments for your City Centre.

Visit the Symphony Centre development website and the Bledisloe House development website and learn about our role in these projects below.

The Symphony Centre is a major city centre development, a $600 million urban regeneration project that will transform Auckland’s vibrant midtown and arts precinct, bringing an entirely new type of development to New Zealand and showing the continuing investment of Auckland Council and the private sector in the city centre.

OTOH The Symphony Centre Int Lobby Final01

OTOH The Symphony Centre Ext Wellesley Queen Final01

Aotea Central Concept Design Render 2 CR

OTOH The Symphony Centre Ext Mayoral Drive South Dusk Final01a

OTOH The Symphony Centre Ext Laneway Final01

Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB), with the support of local development management firm RCP, have agreed with Auckland Council to build the 21 storey mixed-use building on the corner of Wellesley Street and Mayoral Drive in Auckland to capitalise on what will be New Zealand’s busiest public transport station at Te Waihorotiu Station.

With retail, commercial offices and new homes, it will deliver pioneering transit-oriented development (TOD) and the first mixed-use property in New Zealand to be integrated with a public train station.

The same development partner will also oversee the ground floor commercial development and "upcycle" of nearby Bledisloe House. The upgrade of Bledisloe House will deliver premium commercial space above a vibrant and premium dining and hospitality offering.

Having both projects as part of the same development means . they will also oversee the improvement work on an adjacent laneway.

The adjacent laneway will further adding to the improvement of the connecting area.

Before and After - The Laneway

Drag the toggle left and right to compare

In the above slider comparison image, the 'before' photo is the area as at January 2024, while the 'after' render is an artist's impression of what the laneway will look like upon completion.

The laneway will be completed in 2028 (along with the Symphony Centre) while Bledisloe will be ready by the first half of 2026. The development works will begin before the completion of Te Waihorotiu Station.

Former Bledisloe carpark frequently asked questions

Ahead of Te Waihorotiu Station’s opening in 2026, we’re preparing the former Bledisloe Carpark site for interim use, keeping 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?

A: info@audo.co.nz