Others included the Park Hyatt Auckland and Sofitel So hotels in the CBD and a new hotel planned for Auckland Airport.
Angela Bull, Chief Executive for Viaduct Harbour Holdings Limited, said the waterfront site was exceptional and the hotel would cater to the exclusive luxury market.
"We know that Auckland is critical to New Zealand's tourist market and there is a clear need for luxury hotel accommodation in the CBD," Bull said.
"A luxury hotel has many synergies with the amenities and attractions located in the Viaduct Harbour and will act as a catalyst to attract even more visitors to the area."
A 165 room luxury hotel with a roof-top bar over looking the harbour is planned for the site previously home to the Simunovich Fisheries factory. Photo / Supplied
Bull said the company is looking for a suitable development partner who will build a world-class, iconic waterfront hotel that all Aucklanders can be proud of.
"We want a landmark development that will complement the many great buildings already built or underway in the wider Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter area."
The multi-level hotel and rooftop bar will add to the desirability of the Viaduct area, Bull said.
Viaduct Harbour Holdings Ltd is made up of a group of wealthy business executives who own waterfront land around the Viaduct Basin, Lighter Quay and Wynyard Quarter.
The land is leased long-term to building owners.
The group are looking for a development partner to build the luxury hotel through Colliers International.
An artist impression of SkyCity's New Zealand International Convention Centre hotel. The build is part of a boom in new hotels to help Auckland cope with visitor numbers. Photo / Supplied
Preliminary designs have been drawn by leading architectural firm Warren and Mahoney and will be made available to the successful development partner.
Dean Humphries, from Colliers International, said the New Zealand is in the midst of the strongest tourism boom in its history.
"As the country's tourism capital, Auckland is the main beneficiary of the 3.5 million international visitors that came to our shores last year," he said.
