Reimagining the Mills Lane streetscape to improve the amenity and experience for all users

Mills and Exchange Lane Streetscape Improvements

Creating a sense of place is critical in making central business districts vibrant and interesting places to live, work and visit. Reflecting on this, Auckland Council engaged our team to prepare a business case and concept design to improve the streetscape, amenity, and experience of the Mills Lane precinct in its CBD.

Following a period of extensive stakeholder engagement, we created a design that meets community needs by improving the connectivity and safety of the pedestrian network through widening. It also improves the surface quality of footpaths, provides a canopy over a section of Swanson Street, adds vegetation and seating, and makes a better connection between Mills Lane and Exchange Lane using the spiral staircase. The design also delivers improved traffic controls by slowing traffic and making it easier for vehicles servicing the areas with additional parking spaces, better defined loading zones, and focused parking restrictions.

This area is strategically important to the vibrancy of Auckland, and the upgrades to the streetscape provide a more attractive environment for public life by encouraging public dining, a better walking experience, and the opportunity to linger and enjoy the public space.