Plans by Stride are to incorporate the historic Red Shed building of special character status under the Auckland Unitary Plan.

That has distinctive red doors and a history dating back to the 1930s and will remain a central feature of the redevelopment.

The council also released a statement today.

The Auckland Urban Development Office said Stride was the preferred development partner for the North Wharf redevelopment.

“This milestone marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for one of Auckland’s most iconic waterfront destinations.

In 2023, the Herald reported how the council’s property arm wanted to selling a waterfront site valued at $26.9m but a redevelopment could impact sea views from the award-winning ASB North Wharf.

In March 2023, an Eke Panuku spokeswoman said John Holmes at CBRE had been engaged to sell the 3627sq m Wynyard Quarter site on Jellicoe St via an expressions of interest campaign closing on May 4.

New developments of up to 15m or five levels could be built there, although one heritage building must remain, she said then.

Today, Littlewood said Stride had an arrangement with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei as the cultural lead for the development.

They will provide cultural advisory expertise to ensure the project reflects and respects the unique heritage and identity of Tāmaki Makaurau, today’s announcement said.

The vision for North Wharf is a permanent waterfront destination with ground-floor retail and hospitality and commercial offices above.

It is intended that the redevelopment will activate the wharf, draw people into Wynyard Quarter, and support the council’s long-term regeneration goals.

North Wharf was originally developed between 2009–2011 by Sea+City.

That medium-term strategy aimed to create a lively destination while preserving future development potential.

Today, the site spans 3672sq m and includes three buildings: an east and west wing which flank the historic Red Shed.

The land at 1-17 and 39-47 Jellicoe St has low-use single-level developments leased to restaurant and hospitality businesses.

The Auckland Fish Markets are opposite the westernmost building on one of the three sites Stride is leasing.

Any future buildings on this site being sold must respect the integrity of the Red Shed in scale, materiality, colour and proportions.

New buildings must be of an appropriate scale in relation to the North Wharf promenade.

New blocks must also make visual connections to the water from the public realm and activate the promenade and street edges, she said – meaning businesses like cafes and restaurants would be needed to bring people to the area.

ASB North Wharf’s typical floor plates are around 4000sq m, it has 97 car parks and was finished in May 2013. It is valued at about $230m.

Auckland Council will continue to manage the three properties it plans to sell the leasehold interest on until settlement with Stride.

Anne Gibson has been the Herald‘s property editor for 25 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.