Council to help Soho project to find buyer

The Auckland City Council is offering the services of its property enterprise board to help dig Ponsonby's failed $250 million Soho project out of a hole.

Aaron Bhatnagar, chairman of the council's city development committee, said the board could provide commercial and other advice to Richard Simpson, of receiver Grant Thornton.

The advice could help the receiver to find a buyer for the 1.3ha site, which is bounded by Williamson Ave, Pollen St and Crummer Rd. The project was put into receivership on December 1.

Senior council officers yesterday briefed the political leaders group on Soho. Mr Bhatnagar said council officers had also addressed concerns about the perimeter fence to ensure it was safe and secure.

Layne Kells' Marlin Group was to develop a shopping/parking/office/apartment complex by architecture firm Ignite, but local people decried the vision as a nightmare.

In November last year, independent commissioners turned down plans to breach the permitted building limit by 80 per cent and to more than double the height limit in places.

The first stage of excavation was completed in May last year and the site has not been used since, except by locals who renamed it Sohole and partied in the giant pool of water.