Civix planners and engineers recently gained an updated resource consent for the development of York Street, Parnell. The development, designed by Monk McKenzie Architects involves a six-storey office block with a ground level café / retail space and two levels of basement parking. The building has a modern architectural design to create visual interest and form a landmark in Parnell.

The key challenges we faced with gaining resource consent was that the application was seeking to increase the existing infringement into the Museum Viewshaft. The development was screened from the viewpoint via trees in the domain which council stipulated could not be relied upon for mitigation (if a tree is not protected in a SEA in the Domain then we did not know what would be). After careful discussions with Council, our planners and architects provided convincing evidence, including visual montages and a legal opinion to demonstrate that there would be no adverse effects on the viewshaft. Council supported the decision; consent was approved without public notification and no changes were requested by the processing planner in the end. A great result for everyone involved!

We look forward to seeing this development once it is constructed. The simple yet refined exterior material palette and design form of the project creates an elegant and sculptural architectural response that will effectively activate the streetscape and provide character that will impart a sense of timelessness and quality.