SkyCity to upgrade Federal St

Photo / APN

SkyCity Entertainment Group plans to start a $10 million upgrade of Auckland's Federal Street in July.

The one-way, tunnel-like dark and busy street between the SkyCity Grand Hotel and SkyCity Hotel will be turned into a shared space, like Fort St, Elliot St and Darby St, so cars, cyclists and pedestrians mingle and traditional height differences between pavements and roads are abolished, along with most road markings and signs.

Mayor Len Brown has hailed shared spaces as creating interactive, invigorated street environments and a step in his plan to make Auckland the world's most liveable city.

Nigel Morrison, SkyCity chief executive, told a media briefing at last week's half-year result announcement that a number of new restaurants would open along Federal St which would see big changes.

"We are continuing to invest in Federal St's redevelopment following the success of the award-winning Depot and The Grill," he said.

Changes in the second-half of this year will see chef Al Brown opening Federal Kitchen, an all-day New York-style deli dining experience. Nic Watt, previously with Zuma and Roka in London, will open Masu, a Japanese restaurant and bar at the seaward end of the existing lobby of the Grand Hotel.

Chef Peter Gordon will open Sugar Club, a new restaurant and bar on level 53 of the SkyTower, Morrison said.

He said SkyCity was working with Auckland Council to redevelop Federal St to make it more attractive and pedestrian-friendly.

SkyCity hope to start construction on the street revamp in July.

Changes are also planned to SkyCity's main entranceway to its tower and casino businesses. Escalators from the ground floor lobby will be moved to take a more direct route to the mezzanine level which will be extended.