Albert Street is undergoing one of the most significant urban transformations in the city centre – linking the waterfront to the Aotea Arts Quarter through a wave of infrastructure investment, streetscape renewal and commercial momentum. As part of our series on the precincts shaping Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, we explore the business, hospitality and transport expansion bringing new energy to this city corridor.

Running parallel to Queen Street, Albert Street has long been central to the city’s development. Named after Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, its status as a commercial thoroughfare can be witnessed in its architecture – from the soaring PwC Tower at the harbour’s edge to its refurbished heritage buildings, international hotels and new commercial towers.

Anchored by major transport hubs at both ends, Albert Street is set to become one of Auckland’s most connected streets. Public investment in infrastructure and placemaking has laid the foundation for commercial growth, pedestrian activity and a more sustainable city centre.

A corridor of revitalisation and connection

Albert Street is being reimagined as a walkable, connected urban corridor, enhanced by streetscape and public space improvements – a transformation led by the City Rail Link – Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest-ever transport infrastructure project – and as part of the Midtown Regeneration programme. Spanning 1.1km from the waterfront to the cultural heart of the city at the Aotea Centre and Auckland Town Hall, work includes widened footpaths, new planting and place-making designed to support more people walking and revitalise the street’s civic and commercial life.

Major public transport hubs include the Lower Albert Street Bus Interchange, connecting bus, train and ferry services on the waterfront, and the City Rail Link project. At the northern end of Albert Street, beside the Aotea Centre, Te Waihorotiu Station is set to open in 2026, and is projected to become New Zealand’s busiest train station. Once complete, it will become a key public transport hub connecting the CRL with key north-south bus routes, significantly improving access to and through midtown.

Auckland Council’s Chief Economist reported in 2024 that "18 private developments are planned, under construction, or recently completed, within a 0.57km² area around the station." One of these projects is the proposed Symphony Centre, a Transport Oriented Development (TOD) where commercial, residential and lifestyle amenities are combined.

Where tourism and work converge

With the CRL as a catalyst, Albert Street has attracted significant private development alongside public investment.

On the corner of Lower Albert Street stands the award-winning Commercial Bay development designed by Warren and Mahoney: featuring the 39-storey PwC Tower (New Zealand’s tallest commercial building) and an integrated retail and office precinct Commercial Bay. Completed in 2020 and developed by Precinct Properties, the development combines architectural innovation, sustainability and retail vibrancy in the city centre.

Opposite, the modernist 1972 landmark 1 Albert Street has been restored and modernised by Ignite Architects into a contemporary office building. Nearby, 7-15 Albert Street is under construction and will see a 37-storey tower designed by Cox Architecture, comprising seven levels of mixed-use podium and 30 levels of open-plan, A-grade commercial office space. This new development embraces and integrates Albert Street’s architectural heritage.

Further up the street, 50 Albert Street is a 32,448m², 17-storey commercial hub targeting 6 Star Green Star Design and Platinum WELL ratings. Completed in 2024 at a cost of $650 million, the building exemplifies the sustainable, high-quality commercial developments transforming Albert Street. Designed by acclaimed practice Architectus, tenants include Spark HQ, Spaces, MYOB, Qantas, FNZ, UDC Finance, Milford Asset Management and Mojo.

International hotel group IHG has made Albert Street its local stronghold, with three properties – Voco, Crowne Plaza and the recently opened Hotel Indigo – giving rise to the unofficial moniker ‘IHG Mile’. Other hotel operators include JW Marriott and The Sebel Quay West, with eight hotels now located along or adjacent to Albert Street.

Meet one of the locals: hotelier Matt Simister of Hotel Indigo

Hotel Indigo introduced its brand to New Zealand for the first time at 51 Albert Street – a 43-storey mixed-use tower designed by Studio.SC.

General Manager Matt Simister says the project’s heritage roots were a major drawcard, with the hotel rising from the original 1912 MacDonald Halligan Motors façade and overlooking St Patrick’s Cathedral and Square. “Being in a connected, walkable precinct is really important,” he says. “In a city like Auckland, you don’t want to be jumping in a car every time you need to get somewhere. The City Rail Link will strengthen that walkability, linking the inner suburbs to the city centre and waterfront.”

The hotel has drawn strong talent, especially in its restaurant and bar team. “The professionalism of the people we’ve brought on has been impressive and reflects the strength of Auckland’s hospitality culture. There’s also a very collaborative business culture here. We’ve built partnerships with New Zealand Fashion Week, co-working space The Formery, Heart of the City, and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei – local iwi who bring cultural knowledge and professional services to city businesses.”

Simister says Albert Street’s revitalisation has ushered in a new era. “Retail is filling up, bringing vibrancy, and the train station will see a significant flow of people up and down Albert Street. It’s set to become a main thoroughfare in the city centre – connecting people to inner suburbs like Grafton and Mt Eden, as well as the vibrant Karangahape Road.”

Investment opportunities on Albert Street

Auckland Council’s investment in midtown is transforming Albert Street into a future-ready precinct – one that combines heritage, connectivity and commercial opportunity within a highly walkable, well-serviced central corridor. With its proximity to major hotels, conference spaces, and the waterfront and city arts precincts, businesses have excellent access to venues for corporate hosting and client engagement.

In addition to modern new tenancies in architecturally designed buildings, Albert Street has existing Edwardian and mid- to late-1900s buildings ready for refurbishment projects. The trend of converting commercial properties to residential in Auckland's city centre is discussed in an article by property consultancy Prendos, highlighting Auckland's housing demand and urban intensification policies.

The council’s midtown investment map reflects a pattern across the city centre, “and especially around other station neighbourhoods, where a total estimated $6 billion in private investment has followed public investment in urban realm improvements.”

Zoltan Moricz, Executive Director and Head of Research at CBRE notes, “We see Albert Street re-establishing itself as an increasingly desirable business location for both retailers and office occupiers. It hosts a number of corporates, and higher foot traffic from commuters, office workers, hotel guests and residents will make the area more attractive to national and international retail operators. Albert Street’s renewal is already underway, as evidenced by the hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment across recent developments.”

Explore opportunities in Albert Street

As New Zealand’s financial and commercial capital, Auckland offers opportunities for investors and businesses looking to be part of a thriving central hub – join us in shaping this leading Asia-Pacific city. Contact the investment team or download the Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland city centre prospectus.