Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is New Zealand’s commercial and innovation hub, generating more than a third of the nation’s GDP and home to 60% of its top companies. This article explores the West Stitch/Te Kōtui i te Uru, one of seven precincts that define the heart of the city, highlighting research activity, local culture and investment potential.

As the country’s gateway to the Asia-Pacific, Auckland sits on major trade routes and within easy reach of some of the fastest-growing regional economies. Its stability, transparent governance and strong growth record make it an attractive and secure place for investment. It’s a globally connected city with a diverse talent pool, resilient infrastructure and a lifestyle consistently ranked among the world’s best.

The city centre is a collection of distinct precincts, each with their own character and opportunities. Among them, West Stitch – where heritage meets innovation on the city’s western edge – is rapidly emerging as a compelling precinct for investors seeking to be part of Auckland’s next wave of growth.

What is the West Stitch

West Stitch is located on the western edge of Auckland’s city centre, facing the harbour and Wynyard Quarter to the north, linking them to the Queen Street Valley, Ponsonby and Freemans Bay.

Once an area of industrial yards, depots and workshops, West Stitch has evolved into a precinct defined by adaptive reuse, heritage character and tenants ranging from creative industries and information media to telecommunications and professional services.

Patrick Clifford, Principal Architect at New Zealand practice Architectus – a team which has worked on a number of developments in the area – describes the precinct as “stitch[ing] Queen Street Valley into Wynyard Quarter, Ponsonby and Freeman’s Bay. It’s a part of the city that connects the rest of the city.”

Over the past 15 years, much of the changing face of West Stitch has been driven by adaptive reuse. Historic buildings have been reimagined as accommodation, modern workplaces, hospitality venues and retail anchors. There have also been a number of A-grade, Green Star large office building developments, with several by development company Mansons TCLM, including Spark City,165–167 Victoria Street West (designed by Architectus); Te Kupenga, 155 Fanshawe Street (designed by Architectus); and Te Aukati, 136–142 Fanshawe Street (designed by FORMiS).

“There’s been work done on the smaller scale sites and some aggregation of titles to create larger sites, allowing a significant increase in the number of people working there,” notes Clifford.

 

A mix of character and creativity

“We’ve seen a lot of digital and creative industries go in over the two decades we’ve been designing for this precinct,” continues Clifford. “I think it’s seen as a slightly less formal area of the city centre and so attracts campus-style developments, alongside small to medium sized businesses attracted to the character spaces.”

West Stitch is one of Auckland’s most dynamic and changing precincts, where creative studios, design firms and wellness brands thrive. Les Mills International’s HQ and flagship gym anchors the area, attracting thousands of visitors every day.

The City Works Depot has set the standard for adaptive reuse, transforming former council workshops, into a lively cluster of studios, agencies and hospitality businesses.

Nearby, the heritage brick structures at Victoria Park Market have undergone a significant restoration. Once the city’s municipal incinerator and waste depot, it is now one of Auckland’s most distinctive heritage areas, with restaurants, retail and studios drawing steady foot traffic. Just behind this is a range of modern high-rise office buildings, which bring a wider mix for tenancy types.

Zoltan Moricz, Executive Director of Research at CBRE New Zealand, notes the West Stitch "has proven that it’s capable of attracting both large-scale corporate occupiers as well as more character-driven, smaller private companies as well.”

The area is home to media and telecommunications corporations such as NZME, TVNZ, and 2 Degrees. Zuru, the global toy and consumer goods company, has also recently moved into the area.

Connectivity and future growth

West Stitch is well connected with established bus and cycleway links, and within easy walking distance of Wynyard Quarter, Queen Street Valley and the Midtown/Aotea cultural district.

It is also well positioned for future growth. In early 2026, the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) will open on the precinct’s eastern edge. As the country’s largest convention facility, it will draw international visitors, conferences and exhibitions, boosting demand for hotels, dining retail and business services in surrounding streets.

The City Rail Link (CRL) is due to open in 2026, with Te Waihorotiu Station entrances on Wellesley and Victoria Streets are just minutes from the precinct. “The CRL’s impact on the city’s west will be hugely significant to access and growth,” says Patrick Clifford.

The Victoria Street Linear Park/Te Hā Noa will add to this momentum, enhancing green space and walkability, and complementing the precinct’s “green heart” at Victoria Park, the city centre’s largest green space.

Investment opportunities

West Stitch offers investors a chance to help shape the identity of a precinct that’s fast emerging as a creative, connected and commercially vibrant part of Auckland’s city centre.

Opportunities range from large-scale real estate developments and mixed-use intensification to further adaptive reuse projects and CRL-aligned growth. There is also strong demand for flexible office space, with creative firms and fast-growing corporates looking for high-quality premises.

The redevelopment of 35 Graham Street by Mansons TCLM (a NZD$650 million, nine-level scheme which will deliver almost 25,000 m² of new office space when completed in 2028) is a good example of a development to meet this demand says Zoltan Moricz. “It reflects clear confidence in the West Stitch precinct.”

The hotel market is gaining momentum too, supported by major infrastructure such as the NZICC. This in turn will create opportunities for new hospitality and retail developments.

Patrick Clifford concludes "the area is well connected and has a diverse range of building, infrastructure and development opportunities. It has a lot of character, a growing residential population, is well connected, and has interesting people and businesses. I think it has a huge amount to offer.”

Explore opportunities at West Stitch

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 Auckland City Centre Prospectus.