St James developer rejigs design

The developer of the 36-level St James apartment block on Queen St, Auckland, has changed its design and is hoping to placate a lobby group which won a High Court ruling blocking the building from going ahead.

Norfolk Trustee property manager Angela Wells, representing developer Paul Doole, and architect Paul Brown of Clark Brown Architects said changes had been made to the 307-unit block.

Justice Patrick Keane overturned the block's resource consent this month and ordered the Auckland City Council to reconsider the application. The council had granted a "non-notified" resource consent to Norfolk Trustee for what Justice Keane said would become one of the largest buildings in Auckland.

The decision was a victory for lobby group Urban Auckland, which had sought a judicial review of the August 2003 resource consent.

Mr Brown and Angela Wells say they have a meeting scheduled with Urban Auckland on Wednesday, when they hope to iron out their differences.

Mr Brown said the redesigned tower featured stronger vertical lines which would enhance the structure's visual appeal.

Following a recommendation from Auckland City's senior architect/planner, urban design, these vertical lines would be carried through to the entrance to the St James Theatre, which would be preserved.

Mr Brown said lighter colours would be used on the building's exterior, giving it a limestone appearance, and the building would be marketed as The Antipodean.

The redesigned block would be submitted to Auckland City's urban design panel for consideration, following the meeting with Urban Auckland.

The four members of Urban Auckland's executive committee are expected to meet the tower agents.