Grey Lynn in a hole over land

Barry Linton's illustration.

In the far-east of Grey Lynn lies a pit of despair. It is known by many names: Soho Square, The Abyss and usually, So-Hole.

It is a place that wishes it were a swimming pool.

Rather than a potential cholera-breeding centre that no one wants to finish excavating or even pretty up.

A symbol of naked greed laid waste, open cast mining of the ancient suburb has left a gaping wound a block
wide. The developers have pulled the ripcord on the liquidation parachute and sailed off to fresher, untrammeled fields.

Now it's our problem. The residents, the council, in short - us. So we'll fix it.

Once we clear up two things.

It's not a "$250 million hole in Ponsonby" as everyone likes to quote. Firstly it's in Grey Lynn. Ponsonby doesn't begin until the north side of Richmond Rd.

And secondly it's not a $250m hole. Sources in the architectural world tell me the land and half finished excavation cost less than $80m, and even that figure is inflated. If anyone buys the site they will get it at a significant discount, with the developers and investors taking a bath on the difference.

The yeast factory previously on the site was no beauty, is the current abyss worse? Probably. Definitely more hazardous.

The solution needs to be something the locals can live with, the council doesn't have to worry about, and a way for the liquidators to move the land on.

We're suggesting an appropriate complex of shops, offices and flats in a very central part of the city - the Hanging Gardens of Grey Lynn.

From the outside: A traditional block of varied Victorian and Edwardian-style buildings - shops at street level with alternating offices and flats above. Two storied with ornate facades and awnings, rising to three levels along the lower Pollen St side.

Containing much needed facilities for the local community - an underground twin cinema and, after too many years, a new Gluepot live music venue, the Hanging Gardens also provides subterranean parking for residents, clients, workers and visitors and relief for the over-stressed surrounding streets.

But it's the inside of the block that provides the magic.

From the grand entrance on Williamson Ave, from the restaurants and cafes above it, from the office windows, the houses and flats; all look down on the inverted Ziggurat, the over-hanging stepped terraces of greenery that cascade magnificently to a beautiful park and outdoor pool.

The terraces are a mix of public viewing platforms, restaurant seating and private backyards and gardens while the park level features an outdoor restaurant, public swimming pool, children's playground and a pair of bright red blooming trees - a pohutakawa and a flame tree.

The grand entrance on Williamson Ave provides a "trompe l'oeil" effect known as lensing, effectively zooming the gardens up to the street level with an outdoor staircase giving direct access to viewing areas and the gardens themselves.

Handily most of the excavating has already been done making the entire job considerably cheaper and easier. Even the existing steelwork can be used in situ - depending on the rust.

The block works in architectural harmony with the existing historical buildings and is "anchored" by the ASB Trusts' Allendale stately home, Lord Ponsonbys' Antiques building and two new-but-old-looking buildings on the Pollen Street corners.

Public transport is already in place: the Link and 02x buses pass the northern corner, and the 035 serves the Williamson side. Continuing the zoo-Motat tramline up Chinaman's Hill and along Williamson Ave could provide further options.

Other hanging gardens highlights include a foliage covered obelisk named the Ivy Tower, seemingly ancient chimneys concealing light shafts into the carpark levels, even the possibility of a waterfall.

The last development proposal for this site received over 900 objections. Handled properly this should attract close to zero.

With the Hanging Gardens of Grey Lynn all stakeholders will be happy. And the hole? Even the hole's wish will be granted - it will finally become a real life swimming pool.

- Tell us what you think. Email your views to edcl@snl.co.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Sonya hannam   #3   01:14 pm Jul 12 2010

To the Hanging Gardens team, I think this is a brilliant concept which includes business and residents in the planning and utilising of the space. I looked up the original place in Babylon, and found out it was dedicated to a newly wed homesick queen of Babylonia. I think in order to sell the concept, it could be dedicated to Diana Spencer, or a New Zealand equivalent, as this is the kind of gesture that will grab people's attention to the project. Sonya.

james   #2   09:18 am Jan 28 2010

Looks great. Only comment - I would imagine that the main access point would be off Williamson Ave. That's where foot-traffic off Ponsonby Road would come from. Maybe this angle doesn't show it but an attractive entrance that will draw people in.

Rene   #1   02:25 pm Jan 27 2010

Auckland (and NZ in general) is screaming out for some sort of permanent food markets akin to the great markets of Eurpoe and Asia. NZ has a tremendous food and wine industry but no single destination to showcase it.

A “market” type development would suit the scale of this site and would compliment what is arguably New Zealand’s most populated gastronomic destinations in Ponsonby.

Located on the Link bus route it would provide a major tourist attraction for Auckland, and if some of Auckland’s major providores can be tempted to re-locate there then it would become an asset for the multitude of inner city cafes and restaurants also.

The markets must avoid the failures of previous forays into this area that have focused on highly boutique food businesses that do not appeal to 95% of most New Zealanders. The market would need to have a mix of permanent and seasonal based vendors and must avoid creating an overly commercial environment.

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