Our landscape architects created a paving design which maintains a sense of movement through the lane and integrates strongly with Aotea Square and the surrounding streets. The upgrade provides a more inviting lane, with a balance of shelter and openness.

As part of the lane upgrade, integral improvements to the pocket park space on Wellesley Street were part of the project, including relocating a sculpture which provides better integration with the surrounding space. The addition of low walls and steps offers informal seating.

There is now potential for vitality and a renewed mix of businesses to trade in the surrounding area. The lane upgrade has encouraged the redevelopment of adjacent building façades, with new tenancies created, opening out to the lane. The Bledisloe Lane upgrade demonstrates how a quality public space adds value not only in terms of social and aesthetic qualities but also to the surrounding businesses and properties.

Bledisloe Lane – along with the earlier upgrades of Darby, Elliott, Federal, Fort and Lorne Streets – were a start to realising the City Centre Masterplan (2012) vision for a high-quality laneway network. Aotea Square; and the future upgrades of Victoria Street, the Wellesley Street Bus Corridor, and Aotea Rail Station will significantly improve access to the mid-city as a destination and attract opportunities for growth.