Commercial Bay

Commercial Bay is a development located at the bottom of Queen Street, facing the Auckland waterfront. The project is situated on 1.25 hectares of reclaimed land and comprises five buildings, including the 39-storey PwC Tower, which is a defining feature of the skyline. Precinct Properties initiated the project, and RCP was brought on board to manage the development and implementation of the complex master plan, consenting strategy and stakeholder management process.  

RCP also managed the review and approval of the contractor-led design, including managing change and variances from the detailed brief, and subsequently led the delivery phase contract administration, quality assurance, and health and safety review capacity. RCP was instrumental in the negotiation of complex development agreements with Auckland Council and Auckland Transport, which unlocked the project's development potential. 

The vision for Commercial Bay from the outset was to deliver a new urban experience that is authentic to Auckland and New Zealand, reflecting the city's cultural richness and its place in the world. The development's design was underpinned by best-practice urban design and sustainability outcomes, and the meaningful incorporation of Te Arānga Māori Design Values and Principles. 

The development provides a vibrant, open, laneway-based retail environment that acts as an extension of the city fabric, linking transport infrastructure and extending the CBD laneway network. Its bars and restaurants provide exciting hospitality experiences that maximise the stunning views over the Waitematā Harbour, while its eye-catching urban design creates stronger connections between Queen Street and the waterfront. 

The development brings together public transport, an international quality 20,000sqm CBD retail experience, and a world-class workplace environment within the PWC office tower, offering approximately 39,000sqm of premium office space. The project was also the catalyst for Auckland's City Rail Link and the tower structure was designed to IL4 standards to accommodate the tunnels passing beneath the site. 

Commercial Bay received both 'design' and 'as-built' 5 Green Star ratings, reflecting its commitment to environmental sustainability.  

The development provides an integrated urban experience that is unrivalled in New Zealand, combining retail, hospitality, transport and the workplace.  

RCP was subsequently involved in the fitouts for many of the development's commercial tenants and hospitality vendors, and it also provided tenancy coordination support on behalf of Precinct for Commercial Bay's 114 high-end retail and hospitality tenants.