Catalina Bay

The Catalina Bay Master Plan at Hobsonville Point, designed by Cheshire + Architectus, will transform a historical hardstand and collection of hangars into an active waterfront village consisting of a considered blend of quality retail, hospitality, commercial and residential offerings. A cornerstone of the project is the recognition of the site’s rich and important history; it was owned by the Royal New Zealand Air Force, ‘the Landing’, and housed the launching site for the impressive Catalina flying-boats. The Catalina Apartments is the first residential building to be realised in the master plan. The development comprises a 13-level, 73 unit waterfront apartment building and nine townhouses, and associated car parking. The composition of the project is envisioned as a collection of ‘objects’, placed onto the Landing ‘platform’ in a manner sympathetic to the massing of the existing built context. Appropriate proportions and a selection of contextual materials have informed a design response that compliments the adaptive reuse of the adjacent hangars. The apartments and townhouses are organised such that all units have panoramic views and natural light. The townhouses activate the ground plane and sleeve the carpark behind, while the apartment elements sit atop the podium and offer a variety of layouts. The scheme is intended to act as the residential fulcrum about which the balance of the master plan will be developed.