You'll love it - cone-top roof finds a friend

The building will stand at a confluence between the Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter. Photo / Supplied

Aucklanders will love the ASB Bank's proposed volcanic-cone topped headquarters, says a development chief.

John Dalzell of Sea+City, which is in charge of the industrial western waterfront area, said the building would have many advantages.

"The generous and imaginative public spaces planned for the ground floor will add to the richness and diversity of the area," he said.

The 52m building would also be environmentally friendly, he said.

The tower was criticised last week for being too tall and in the wrong place.

But Mr Dalzell believes it is right for the area.

"The building design fits with the aspirations in our sustainable development framework for the area, which aims for at least 40 per cent of new buildings in Wynyard Quarter to have the Green Building Council five-star rating," Mr Dalzell said.

The tower, which will be home to about 1100 office workers by 2013, will add to the area and bring it alive, he says.

It would also stand at a crucial confluence between the Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter.

"A large public plaza will be created at the eastern end of Jellicoe St, near the new ASB headquarters, and close to the interim Te Wero Bridge that will connect Wynyard Quarter to the rest of the CBD waterfront," he said

"The Auckland City Council's new events centre on nearby Halsey St Extension Wharf will also be a feature of this area.

But a city official says the tower's volcanic cone-like roof might go.

The Auckland City Council's development committee chairman, Aaron Bhatnagar, who this week met John Duthie, general manager of city development, said nothing was settled.

"I have learned ASB has presented only artist's impressions and no actual plans. Urban Design has met ASB once and will continue to meet with them as we do with all larger applications."

ASB chief executive Charles Pink said people had criticised the design but it was only in the early concept stages. "There has been a joint commitment to invest $160 million into Wynyard Quarter during a difficult economic time.

"We encourage Aucklanders to get behind transforming this industrial environment into a vibrant commercial, residential and leisure environment."