Queens Wharf is a cornerstone of Auckland’s City Centre Masterplan (CCMP), which aims to transform the waterfront into a vibrant, people-focused destination. The Western Edge upgrade is a striking example of this vision, introducing a stainless-steel balustrade system that combines safety, durability, and architectural refinement.

The design called for a solution that would meet stringent fall-protection standards without compromising the openness and views that define the waterfront experience. SRS Group delivered this through a marine-grade stainless-steel balustrade structure paired with Carl Stahl X-Tend® XT3 tensile mesh, featuring a concealed perimeter fixing system. This approach created a clean, uninterrupted aesthetic while ensuring the mesh remained tensioned and structurally sound under demanding conditions.

The concealed fixing system added another layer of complexity, demanding millimetre-level precision during fabrication and installation to maintain both tension integrity and visual alignment.

Public access was maintained throughout the project, so the team implemented temporary safety barriers to protect pedestrians while keeping the wharf operational. Integrating the new balustrade with the wharf’s heritage structure required precision modelling and adaptive detailing to achieve seamless transitions between old and new elements.

The result is a refined, high-performance balustrade that enhances safety while preserving the openness and visual connectivity central to the CCMP vision, reinforcing Auckland’s identity as a world-class waterfront city.

The next chapter in Queens Wharf’s evolution will focus on restoring the heritage steps and creating a new viewing platform at the northern end, further enhancing public access and celebrating the wharf’s historic character.

Client: Auckland Council – Auckland Urban Development Office

Engineers: GHD & Lautrec

Architect: Isthmus

Project Management: BECA

Image Credit: CPNZ