The Portside development honouring Hawke’s Bay’s wool stores heritage

MCL Construction recently unveiled its latest signature project, the $55-million-dollar Portside Precinct, which has reshaped the skyline of Ahuriri, Hawke’s Bay. Unifying modern architectural desires with the area’s rich historical context, the Portside Precinct is not to be overlooked.

Designed by RTA Studio for Hawkes Bay Developer Portview Ltd and built by MCL Construction Ltd, the Portside Precinct is a four-story mixed-use apartment building that integrates modern amenities while paying homage to the area’s historic architecture. Co-Director of MCL Construction, Philip Mitchell, notes, “The building’s design echoes the traditional sawtooth roof pattern, a defining feature of the wool stores that populate the area.”

Completed in October 2024 after three years of construction, the complex now houses 18 luxury apartments, several commercial tenancies, a basement car park, and a unique enclosed four-lane breezeway featuring retail spaces, restaurants and cafés.

A unique residential, retail and commercial offering for the North Island 

“The apartments offer that blend of luxury and functionality, including sought-after communal amenities such as a pool, spa, gym and expansive balconies,” says Philip. The top floor features 300-square-metre apartments with vaulted ceilings that showcase exposed steel frames, a nod to the industrial architecture of the area. The expansive balconies, equipped with electronic screens to manage sunlight and wind, offer breathtaking views of the marina and sea to the north.

Inside, the apartments reflect sophisticated craftsmanship. “[The interiors have] floor-to-ceiling tiling in the bathrooms and engineered timber floors,” Philip adds. The larger apartments on the second and third floors incorporate custom features such as sculleries, bar units, and integrated joinery around the steel structure.

The complex includes retail units, a café, and a restaurant on the ground floor, ensuring that residents and visitors alike can enjoy a vibrant lifestyle within the precinct. A detached, three-level commercial office building also forms part of the site, expanding its mixed-use appeal.

Navigating challenges 

Building within the historical Ahuriri area posed its own set of challenges. “The project required intricate planning, and working below ground right next to the sea meant constant water pumping, plus tanking the basement to prevent water ingress,” Philip remarked. To support the road behind the building, sheet piles were installed as well.

Moreover, MCL Construction had to manage construction amidst ongoing occupancy. “One of the more unique challenges was finishing the upper floors while tenants were already occupying the lower floors,” says Philip. Despite this, the team minimised disruption, allowing the building’s commercial spaces to generate rental income even before the project was fully completed.

Further complexities arose from the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected global supply chains and material availability. Installing a tower crane to lift materials to upper floors in the confined urban environment also required a robust foundation and precise logistical planning to minimise disruption to local traffic.

The project’s attention to historical details extended to the basement, where an archaeologist from the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga monitored excavation work. Old piles from a previous building were discovered, adding a layer of historical significance to the site’s development.

A symbol of Hawke’s Bay's urban evolution

The Portside Precinct symbolises Hawke’s Bay’s evolving urban identity. As Philip remarks, “The North Island is more than just scenic landscapes; it’s got this urban charm with ports and trendy retail and restaurants. We have contributed to the quality construction and changing urban landscapes of many of the prominent Hawke’s Bay buildings.”

The development combines this urban allure with the coastal beauty of Ahuriri, creating a sophisticated complex that reflects the region's past and future. MCL Construction has contributed to creating a new benchmark for urban development in Hawke’s Bay.

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