With Auckland's well-known housing shortage crisis, the Sydney results have encouraged Sir Bob "beyond belief" to test the local market.
Indeed, bids have already been received from developers, putting up their proposals for redeveloping the Wynyard Quarter residential areas, and the successful tenderers should be known by the end of October. Also due to go before the waterfront board around the same time is a Queen's Wharf Masterplan.
Last week, the weather gods almost blew the controversial "Cloud" right off the wharf. Unfortunately they didn't blow hard enough, which means the problem of what to do with this temporary Rugby World Cup relic is now up to the Masterplan, the board and ultimately the new Auckland mayor.
Back in 2011, in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes, Sir Bob did offer to ship the Cloud to the munted South Island city, once it had completed its duties as the World Cup "party central".
Christchurch mayor Bob Parker called it an "amazing gesture", but since then the offer seems to have died a death from both sides. And now the Cloud has a tear in its outer skin as a result of last week's storms, its "as is, where is" condition must lessen its appeal, even as a gift.
Sir Bob refuses to share his views on the Cloud's future now, waiting instead for the Masterplan.
To someone who wants it gone, it's encouraging that the Waterfront Plan 2012 is less coy, making no bones about its fate. It states: "There will be increased public use of the western side of the wharf once the Cloud is removed."
This plan says Queen's Wharf was purchased jointly by the Government and the former Auckland Regional Council to deliver three initiatives: a high-quality cruise terminal, a major event space and "an impressive public open space reflecting the culture and heritage of Auckland and New Zealand".
The reborn Shed 10 building, which was unveiled to Aucklanders over the past weekend, has already scored well as party central for the recent America's Cup screenings, and ticks off both the cruise ship terminal and event space requirements.
As a heritage building, it also helps cover the third requirement. What is missing is the "impressive open space" where "the public can enjoy access to the waterfront, either through passive activity (walking and fishing) or through organised events, as well as providing a venue for major events and functions."
Missing from the actual plan, but suggested in the earlier consultation document, was a suggestion dear to the heart of Sir Bob, Conqueror of the Dardanelles and veteran lifesaver: a saltwater bathhouse at the tip of the wharf.
The consultation summary says the baths got a small and mixed response.
If what is proposed is a simple shark cage-like arrangement, separating swimmers from propellers and sharp teeth, and able to stop the unwary sinking to the muddy bottom or being dragged away by the currents, it seems to me an admirable alternative to endless bars and restaurants and souvenir shops. If it forces Watercare to stop toxic street run-off into the harbour, then so much the better.
A home will also have to be found for the $1 million Michael Parekowhai sculpture - apparently a giant chandelier hanging inside a glass lighthouse, plus one or more other artworks. There's also a desire to move the 1915 war memorial beacon to employees of the old Auckland Harbour Board, currently resting near Princes Wharf, after earlier moves on to Queen's Wharf to mark the port worker soldiers' embarkation point off to war.
All of which is by way of saying the transformation of the downtown waterfront continues apace, America's Cup or not.
