Stable Lane

Stable Lane was developed to provide access to Winstone Stables, which were built in 1882. A remenant of Auckland's pre-automobile era, these stables were home to large Clydesdales that would haul wharf lorries, furniture carts, log carts, and other goods around Auckland. The building serves as a reminder of Uptown's changing role in Auckland. Initially used as a key logistics hub for the construction of the city, once horse-drawn haulage was rendered obsolete, the building has held a variety of identities. Over time, it has been used as a manufacturing plant, food production, auto repairs, until in the 1990s it was used as a studio-residence for artists. During this time, Skycity planned to build an iconic shopping complex on this site, demolishing the stables for carparking. Fortuitous planning rules and a campaign from the resident artists saved the building and resulted in a heritage listing, with Auckland Council acquiring the land. However, the artists couldn't stay - in a then-controversial deal, the Council sold the dilipadated building, to be redeveloped by private interests. Now part of a larger commericial premises, the expertly preserved Stables form part of a quasi-public (but privately owned) courtyard and cut-through to from Newton Road to St Benedicts Street.

Stable Lane itself remains underdeveloped. Vested in Auckland Council in the 1950s, it was part service-lane, part abandoned land. At the moment, it is used for servicing and carparking for Symonds Street businesses. But as public space - is there a potential for it to be better?

This could be as simple as better surfaces and lighting for people getting to and from work or their favourite cafe to feel safer, or could we activate the space and take inspirations from the laneways of Melbourne and London. A space for people to engage with the area on a different scale than the loud, wide Newton Road, and appreciate the commercial and artistic histories of Uptown.