Auckland has a brand new mall. The $1 billion Commercial Bay in Queen St opened its doors today.
Located at the heart of the Auckland waterfront, Commercial Bay will be a hub of business, retail and food and beverage bringing together over 10,000 people in one connected location.
Prime Minister Jacinda Arden and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff joined the crowd to cut the ribbon at the opening today.
The opening is a huge deal for the New Zealand retail industry which has been through some stressful times under the COVID19 lockdown.
Commercial Bay encompasses the preeminent waterfront axis from Quay Street, Queen Street, Lower Albert Street and Customs Street, resurrecting the location’s original name.
Scott Pritchard, CEO of developer Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited said “The opening of the retail centre at Commercial Bay marks a significant milestone for our business and Auckland’s city centre precinct. We set out with a clear vision to create a world-class waterfront destination on par with other gateway cities and we are proud to have achieved this. We are pleased to be opening the retail centre fully leased. With an outstanding mix of more than 120 retailers across fashion, food and beverage, beauty and speciality retail, Commercial Bay brings together the largest concentration of high-quality local and international retailers to the heart of Auckland city. Commercial Bay is a truly transformational development project.”
It embraces the best of the area's existing buildings and links them together creating a working population of 10,000 people. At the heart of Commercial Bay will be a new 39 level office tower that will transform Auckland’s skyline. It will be anchored by PwC and be known as the PwC Tower.
At the base of the tower sits a three-level retail precinct. The laneway design will redefine retail in Auckland, with global flagship brands, diverse food and beverage and the highest concentration of quality retailers in one central, easily accessible location.