Chinese developer Shundi was not only building the downtown tower on Customs St but also bought land in St Johns from the University of Auckland, where it had its T\u0101maki campus. <\/p>\n
Pictured at at a Seascape function on September 3 last year are (from left) James Sheriff (Icon), Harrison Shao (Shundi), Dan Bosher (Icon) and Frank Xu (Shundi). Photo \/ Mala Photography<\/p>\n
Shundi bought the 11ha site at 261 Morrin Rd, St Johns. That site had been called the T\u0101maki Innovation Campus.<\/p>\n
There, Shundi planned extensive development <\/a>but has so far not gone ahead with that. <\/p>\n On the liquidation moves advertised yesterday, Harrison Shao, of Shundi, hit back.<\/p>\n \u201cShundi will defend China Construction NZ\u2019s application to put Shundi T\u0101maki Village into liquidation, if required. However, with the settlement fund being agreed to be paid in China, Shundi expects the matter to be resolved prior to the hearing,\u201d Shao said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe parties each have residual obligations to fulfil to close out prior to the hearing, but these have largely been resolved, pending final payment.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Seascape project is under Shundi Customs and is not affected by the application.\u201d<\/p>\n The notice says the liquidation application will go to the court on Friday, February 27 at 10.45am Shundi Tamaki Village.<\/p>\n The Seascape tower has stood largely abandoned for 18 months. <\/p>\n In August 2024, China Construction suspended work on the tower and told 25 subcontractors to leave.<\/p>\n Since then, the $300m+ building site has stood largely silent, with little progress to continue cladding and fitting out the structure.<\/p>\n That has infuriated people in the area, including neighbours who have complained of dust and traffic holdups.<\/p>\n By March last year, China Construction had won the right<\/a> to enforce a $33m claim against Shundi Customs.<\/p>\n In late March last year, Justice Greg Blanchard in the High Court at Auckland backed China Construction New Zealand against developer Shundi Customs over that $33m statutory demand.<\/p>\n \u201cI order Shundi to pay the sum in the statutory demand within five working days of the date of this minute. I confirm that, absent payment within that period, CCNZ may make an application to put Shundi into liquidation,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n Back on Customs St and at the Shundi tower, neighbours and construction experts alerted the Herald to a change at Seascape.<\/p>\n A new structure was erected near the top of the tower just below where it juts into its apex.<\/p>\n Jillie Clarke of Shundi said the Seascape project team explained the new structure:<\/p>\n \u201cThe crash deck at level 47 is required to enable apex works to be undertaken in a safe and compliant manner;\u201cIt provides\u00a0critical protection to the public\u00a0by mitigating the risk of falling objects and tools during high-level works;\u201cInstallation of the crash deck is a mandatory prerequisite before any modifications can be made to the apex scaffolding.\u201d<\/p>\n Seascape tower<\/p>\n A mixed-use development to be New Zealand\u2019s tallest residential tower at 187m.A glass tower with 221 apartments on 52 floors, all north-facing with harbour views.Five levels of basement parking, the deepest basement in central Auckland retained by a diaphragm wall.A seven-storey podium with retail, offices, swimming pool and a gymnasium.Refurbishment and seismic strengthening of Ballantyne House, transformed into a boutique hotel.Seismic strengthening of the White Rabbit, Gore St.<\/p>\n Timeline:<\/p>\n August 17, 2015: Shundi engages China Construction in an early contractor involvement;September 5, 2017: Contract entered into between the parties, but the building design is incomplete, only at the concept level;2020: Pandemic breaks out, extensions of time awarded to China Construction;May 2021: Fit-out works were due to be completed;July 6, 2021: completion was due;August 2, 2024: Building Disputes Tribunal adjudication awards China Construction $33m;August 22, 2024: China Construction suspends contract for non-payment;November 11, 2024: Judgment instructs China Construction to get paperwork from China;March 26, 2025: High Court declares builder\u2019s paperwork in order, Shundi must pay $33m in five working days.February 16, 2026: Gazette notice published by China Construction, wanting to liquidate Shundi Tamaki Village;February 27: High Court due to hear that liquidation application.<\/p>\nShundi T\u0101maki Village planned this new development with apartments for about 5000 people at St Johns. Photo \/ NZ Herald <\/p>\n
Seascape, the 56-level $300 million-plus apartment tower in downtown Auckland, as it was in September 2024. Photo \/ Jason Oxenham<\/p>\n
This new platform, shown on the left, has been erected at the Seascape tower in downtown Auckland.<\/p>\n