This 32 storey, 638-bed development will represent an important addition to the revitalisation of Auckland’s midtown precinct.
Ashton Mitchell is proud to be the architect for Precinct Properties’ landmark new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) project at 256 Queen Street, Auckland. This 32 storey, 638-bed development will represent an important addition to the revitalisation of Auckland’s midtown precinct, and a significant milestone in supporting the growing demand for high-quality student housing in the centre of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
The project sits within a complex and historically significant site. The former Auckland Savings Bank Headquarters, constructed in 1884 and listed as a Category 1 Historic Place, occupies the majority of the site. Designed by Edward Bartley, this Italianate building has served many roles over its history and its preservation is central to the design. The development carefully retains and restores ornate heritage façades and interiors, including the coffered ceiling of the grand banking hall, ensuring the building’s historic character continues to enrich the Queen Street streetscape for generations to come.
Rising behind the historic structures, the new accommodation tower delivers efficient, modern studio-style student rooms, with each room containing a kitchen and bathroom. A triple-height atrium with a spiral staircase creates a welcoming, light-filled communal space for residents. Patterned façades and thoughtful detailing reference the site’s cultural history and urban context, including local waterways, geology, and traditional Māori patterning.
Situated within 400 metres of both the University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology, the development offers excellent connectivity to campus, public transport, and city amenities, including Albert Park, Aotea Square, and the Auckland Art Gallery. A civic double-height entry on Lorne Street strengthens the connection between the building, the street, and the broader urban environment.
The development is targeting a 5-star Green Star ‘NZ Excellence’ rating and is being constructed by Icon Construction, with completion in time for the 2029 academic year.
This project not only introduces a vibrant residential population to Auckland’s midtown precinct but also demonstrates how careful design can unite heritage preservation, sustainability, and contemporary urban living. Ashton Mitchell is delighted to contribute our design expertise to this transformative project, and we congratulate Precinct and Icon on bringing this ambitious vision to life.
