Details of $350m revamp for Britomart unveiled today

By BERNARD ORSMAN

A $350 million heritage makeover of downtown Auckland will be unveiled today to bring shops, apartments, offices and a new public square to the derelict Britomart precinct.

Seventeen heritage buildings will be restored and six new buildings will create a low-rise urban village above the Britomart railway station.

After months of delays, the Auckland City Council last night approved the development by the international Bluewater consortium, led by lawyer-turned property investor Peter Cooper, who left New Zealand 15 years ago for the United States.

Mr Cooper brings mixed-use property development skills honed in the US on projects like the Southlake Town Centre, near Dallas.

He will work with heritage specialists Phillimore Properties, former Jasmax architect Pip Cheshire and construction firm Multiplex to develop the 5.2ha site over the next five years.

The project includes a public square, six new buildings incorporating retail, office and apartments and carparking, plus plans to bring new international brand shops to Auckland.

Auckland City Mayor John Banks has called the development the largest heritage restoration project in New Zealand.

* For details of today's announcement visit nzherald.co.nz after 11am.