Hilton Auckland on Princes Wharf during recladding this year. Photo \/ Brosnan <\/p>\n
It designed a scaffolding system supported by and attached to the hotel structure on each level, instead of standing on the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were able to reduce the impact of our work site, keep the commercial activities around it fully functional, and create a safe environment for the people enjoying Princes Wharf,\u201d Brosnan said.<\/p>\n
The Hilton Auckland has been open since 2001. Photo \/ Jason Oxenham <\/p>\n
Singaporean landlord M & L Group said, \u201cAs long-term owners of the property, we regularly reinvest in the building. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe recent recladding formed part of a broader programme to convert the former level-eight apartment into additional hotel rooms.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2019, the Herald reported how that had been completed<\/a> on the top floor.<\/p>\n The recladding work started in July and finished last month.<\/p>\n \u201cThe project was carefully staged to ensure the hotel could continue operating as normal, with minimal disruption to guests, team members and neighbours,\u201d M & L Group said.<\/p>\n A manager at the hotel said work was more like maintenance and was relatively minor, but it was necessary because of being beside the sea.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was not a major renovation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Auckland Council said upgrade work on the building had been going on for some time.<\/p>\n That included returning a private apartment to hotel accommodation. <\/p>\n Different firms had been involved with different parts of that work.<\/p>\n The reclad involved a portion of the external walls on the eastern side of Hilton, from levels two to seven. <\/p>\n It included removing two aluminium mast features and rebuilding the U-feature on the east and west sides.<\/p>\n Brosnan was involved in that work, the council said.<\/p>\n The hotel markets itself as nautically inspired, being on the end of Princes Wharf, \u201ca welcoming dock for cruise liners in summer\u201d. <\/p>\n Rooms have panoramic views, an outdoor lap pool has a unique underwater viewing window, and the hotel includes the Fish restaurant and Bellini Bar.<\/p>\n In 2010, the Herald reported<\/a> that guests had been barred from rooms while big leak repairs were finished.<\/p>\n Work was needed to stop water from penetrating the walls.<\/p>\n Exploratory work revealed issues with the exterior that resulted in years of investigations and reports.<\/p>\n The neighbouring Shed 24, on the western wharf tip, was also suffering serious leaks at the same time. <\/p>\n A report by architect John Sinclair questioned the structural integrity of the leaky wharf buildings and recommended that an engineer investigate. <\/p>\n He said he saw no evidence of structural \u201cdegradation\u201d, but could not rule it out.<\/p>\n In 2012, the Herald reported<\/a> the hotel\u2019s sale to Singaporean entrepreneur Michael Kum of M & L Group.<\/p>\n M & L applied for Overseas Investment Office approval to buy the hotel and the ground-floor Overseas Passenger Terminal used for cruise liners.<\/p>\n Last month, the Herald reported<\/a> how Brosnan was recognised for its work on a luxury Queenstown resort that needed $160 million of leaky building repairs.<\/p>\n Work to fix the 161 apartments at The Oaks Queenstown Shores Resort is costing $993,000 per unit, according to the building boss in charge.<\/p>\n The scope of the work at the four-block 12-level complex is extensive.<\/p>\n It involves pulling all the buildings back to their concrete structures, replacing roofs, walls, balcony membranes, windows, doors, kitchens and interior linings.<\/p>\n The owners began repairs in 2019, reaching a confidential settlement<\/a> with the Queenstown<\/a> Lakes District Council in 2022.<\/p>\n Anne <\/a>Gibson<\/a> has been the Herald\u2018s property editor for 25 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.<\/p>\nViews from level eight of the Hilton Auckland. Photo \/ Jason Oxenham <\/p>\n
On level eight of Hilton Auckland. Photo \/ Jason Oxenham<\/p>\n
The view from the Hilton Auckland’s eighth-floor King Bow Suite is one of the best in Auckland. Photo \/ Stephanie Holmes<\/p>\n
A level-eight bathroom pictured in 2019 at Hilton Auckland. Photo \/ Jason Oxenham<\/p>\n
The Hilton Auckland, at the tip of Princes Wharf, markets itself as having a nautical theme. Photo \/ NZME<\/p>\n
Bellini Bar at Hilton Auckland.<\/p>\n