Downtown Carpark, Auckland CBD

Downtown carpark is a large 8 level carpark in the centre of Auckland’s CBD with a capacity of approx. 1950 vehicles. Due to its location, it is one of the busiest carparks in New Zealand. It was built in the 1960s and was originally 6 levels, with a further 2 levels added in the 1980s.

In 2020 new 2.4m high Jump Barriers were installed around the perimeter of the top level: level 8. This was done to significantly reduce the likelihood of anyone falling from the top level.

In 2020 Auckland Transport commissioned a Seismic Assessment of the Downtown Carpark, which concluded significant structural upgrades were required to the upper levels (levels 7 & 8) to improve the likely level of seismic performance of the carpark.

Due to the age of the original structure and a lack of existing records, the Design Engineers required additional information about the existing structure to complete their design. Chelsea staff were involved in completing invasive testing in multiple locations across the carpark to assist gathering this information.

The seismic upgrade involved removing components of the existing bracing system, which were modified, strengthened then reinstalled. A specific programme of works was required to ensure the temporary removal of the braces was spread across the carpark, not concentrated in any one section of the carpark.

The Downtown carpark is in the centre of Auckland’s CBD and is very busy, with a combination of leased and public carparks A requirement from the client was to minimise disruptions to the day-to-day operations of the carpark while the work as being done. This required selectively closing certain levels to allow the works to continue while leaving most of the carpark open.