The Park Hyatt Hotel is a seven-storey, 29,000 m² development in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter, occupying a 100 × 50 m site on the Viaduct Harbour.
The building is arranged as a hollow rectangle, with 195 guest rooms positioned around the perimeter. A multi-storey atrium is at the building’s centre, partly glazed to bring natural light into the internal spaces and create clear circulation routes across the hotel.
The hotel provides a full range of facilities, including restaurants, cafés, and bars, conference and function spaces, a spa and fitness centre, and a 25-metre swimming pool. These amenities support both guests and local use, positioning the hotel as a key hospitality venue in the precinct.
The façade is designed as a double-skin system that provides depth, shading, and light control. Its pattern draws on the idea of a Māori korowai (cloak), reflecting cultural references in the building’s appearance while meeting performance requirements for a waterfront environment.
Construction on reclaimed land introduced significant technical demands. A single-level basement was formed partly below sea level, requiring robust structural and waterproofing solutions. Combined with the prominence of the site in Auckland’s redeveloped downtown, the project required careful coordination between design and construction teams to deliver a high-end hotel that met both client and public expectations.
Services provided
We provided full Quantity Surveying services throughout the construction and fit-out of the hotel, including:
- Preparation of schedules of quantities (SOQs) for tendering and trade package procurement
- Tender evaluation, negotiation, and recommendations
- Ongoing cost monitoring and detailed cost reporting
- Assessment of contractor claims, payment recommendations, and variation reviews
- Forecasting of cashflow and cost-to-complete analysis
- Post-contract cost control through to final account settlement
- Advisory support on cost–quality trade-offs and risk allocation
- Significant involvement in overseas procurement, including cost advice and monitoring for imported façade, fit out, and specialist items
Challenges
Overseas procurement was one of the most complex aspects of the project. Key façade and fit-out elements were sourced internationally, bringing differences in contract terms, logistics risks, and quality control requirements. WT’s role was to translate these into clear commercial frameworks, track costs across long lead times, and safeguard the client against unexpected claims or delays.
Ground conditions presented further risk. Construction on reclaimed land with a basement below sea level required careful management of excavation, waterproofing, and foundation works. WT ensured allowances were robust, contractor pricing reflected the likely conditions, and cost reporting remained accurate as site issues arose.
The high-end finishes, intricate façade detailing, and imported components had to meet strict specifications with minimal tolerance for error. WT maintained close oversight of procurement costs and assessed variations promptly, enabling decisions to be made with full financial visibility.
As a public waterfront project, the development was subject to heightened scrutiny. WT provided clear cost breakdowns and independent reporting, giving the client and funders confidence that budgets were controlled while stakeholder requirements were met.
Successes and value added
WT’s understanding of both the client requirements and contractor pressures proved central to the project’s success. By providing independent, transparent cost advice, we helped temper expectations on both sides, reducing potential conflict and fostering a more collaborative environment.
Our ongoing cost management role also supported constructive relationships across the wider consultant and construction team. Clear reporting and proactive advice gave all parties confidence in decision-making, creating a shared focus on delivery. The strength of these working relationships has extended beyond this project as many consultants involved have continued to collaborate successfully on subsequent projects.
