New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 33/04C | Page 21

Facing page:Cheers! The
central hospitality building makes
its presence felt by a sculptural
aluminium facade with the look
of rising effervescent bubbles.
Below and following
pages:The porous nature of
the hospitality building and its
facade allows for casual views
through into other buildings both
at ground level and on the floors
above, too – all part of the sense
of visual discovery that the inner-
city retail precinct celebrates.
the largest privately owned project in the city centre.
Ideally situated on the one hectare block
between Cashel Mall, Colombo Street, Lichfield
Street and High Street. It’s comprised of 14,000m 2
of retail and hospitality and 5000m 2 of commercial
space, together with an integrated multi-level
carparking building.
The Crossing is also bolstered by its illustrious
surroundings. The thriving Innovation Precinct is
to the south-east, while the Convention Centre
and Performing Arts Precinct and Justice and
Emergency Precinct also border the development.
The Avon river meanders along its western side and
the city Bus Interchange is also to the south.
However, it’s the way The Crossing dovetails
with the city’s architectural history, creates a sense
of an implied ‘new’ history, integrates bold modern
architecture and creates an air of discovery overall
for shoppers that sets it apart from other large-
scale retail developments in New Zealand.
David Hill and Stuart Hay were design architects
for Wilson and Hill Architects on the development.
“We sought to achieve several things with The
Crossing,” says Hill. “One aspect was anchoring
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