The Shop Window (Cross Street)
This cool window belongs to a clothing and design company (we’ar) in Cross Street, just below the Ironbank building. The shop assistant told us that the torsos of the illuminated mannequins are based on casts made of actual people.
The Ferry Building
We arrive on the ferry from Devonport, just in time for lunch.
The Auckland Ferry Building was completed in 1912, built on reclaimed land. About 20 years ago it was seriously refurbished, and now is a very proud landmark on Auckland’s waterfront.
Old Reflected in New
The mirror glass in the curved surface of the City Sales Building in Karangahape Road reflects the facade of the Purchas Building, built about 1885 for Dr Purchas. An unencumbered view of the historic block is shown below.
Find more weekend reflections at James’ Newtown Area Photo.
The Purchas Building
View East from Sky Tower
With our visitor Zac we went up to the Sky Tower. This view shows the shadow of the top of the tower crossing Auckland University’s Science Centre. The buildings in the centre band of the picture are all part of the University, with the lush green Albert Park in front, and the Auckland Domain in the background.
Visit the official website of the Sky Tower.
Painted Boxes: Old West (Mandy Patmore 2008)
This transformer stands at the intersection of Don Buck and Royal Roads, Massey (map). It shows some old wooden weatherboard houses of the type that may have been common in the area in times past. Also shown is a view of the City of Auckland across the upper harbour.
Painted Boxes: Old West (Mandy Patmore 2008)
Painted Boxes: Old West (Mandy Patmore 2008)
Ironbank Building , Cross Street End
The Ironbank Building is a new office building at 150 Karangahape Road, consisting of five towers in the shape of stacked containers. Three of the towers face Cross Street, a narrow service lane parallel to K-Road, and two slightly lower ones face the main road. The building also provides a convenient passage way between K-Road and Cross Street, and as a consequence there are several new shops/cafes down there.
The design of the building has obviously captured the imagination of the world of architecture, earning the highest architectural accolade in the country (the NZ Architectural Medal) in 2010, and also being runner-up in the category of office buildings in a worldwide competition, the World Architecture Festival, Barcelona 2009.
Design by RTA Studio, Auckland.
(Units are leasing now, visit ironbank.co.nz.)
You have to watch the video of their car stacking system! (And while you visit that page, take a tour of the building.)
Ironbank Building - Courtyard View
Ironbank Building from Upper Queen Street/Cross Street
Auckland City from Arataki Visitor Centre
One morning recently, I went to the Arataki Visitor Centre, hoping to take pictures of the city of Auckland in the morning sun. Alas, the background was bathed in the gold of the morning, but the city was under a massive cloud. Still, I found the result intriguing. From front to back: bush, suburbia, cityscape, and the volcanic Rangitoto Island as backdrop (the Sky Tower being the centrepiece). Below is an image taken late afternoon a few weeks ago.
A Skywatch Friday photo. More Skywatch images at the Skywatch Site!
Auckland City from Arataki Visitor Centre
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