Transforming spaces: Central Park’s ‘The Green’ food & beverage precinct

Central Park, 660 Great South Road, is one of Auckland’s largest commercial business parks and is paving the way for the next generation of multi-use developments.

Born through a successful capital partnership between Oyster Property Group and leading global investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) in 2017, the precinct occupies a prominent position in Auckland’s southern corridor.

In 2021 Oyster and KKR expanded Central Park’s offering with the launch of The Green, an award-winning food and beverage precinct catering to over 3,000 onsite workers, as well as visitors to the park.

Formerly an underutilised car park, The Green is a vibrant, people-centric destination comprising six food and beverage outlets and an expansive outdoor area with a movie screen, barbecue space and covered seating. A worthy focal point at Central Park’s main entrance, The Green provides a home for this suite of new amenities and is easily accessible with improved wayfinding and pedestrian connectivity.

“The Green is a great spot to get away from the ‘hustle and bustle’ of the office and enjoy the sun. Having the sheltered area caters for those not so sunny days too.”

Jaine, Restaurant Brands Limited

Tenant feedback from a park-wide survey informed the aim of the 5,250sqm development, capturing their wish to increase the level of amenity on offer to the approximately 70 tenancies at Central Park. Seventy one percent of respondents said they would like additional food and beverage offerings on site, and 48 per cent wanted more outdoor eating areas.

The resulting precinct provides for a variety of activities: events, pop-ups, food trucks or art installations for starters. It’s all-weather ready so people can comfortably stay a while; covered seating areas feature picnic tables, leaners and beanbags.

“We held our staff & family Christmas party at The Green last year. It is such an awesome space for a large group of people with lots of different “zones” and room to set up games for the kids. We were able to use the BBQ’s and buy drinks from one of the licensed premises. The big screen and quality audio make it a fun space for everyone.”

Sacha, Turners Group

The plaza has safer connectivity and is pedestrian and cycle-friendly. Traffic calming and wayfinding have been improved, and the plaza has e-bike charging and visitor parking. At night, ambient lighting illuminates the space alongside safety and security lighting and signage.

The design, which has a strong sustainability focus, builds in extensive re-use of existing structures and terrain. For example, the existing car park was strengthened but not for cars: for crowds. It was also resurfaced, now having paving, turf and decking areas, while sustainably sourced timber was used for decking and feature landscape walls. Existing car park barriers were sleeved with perforated aluminum panels and planter troughs, and the ground level of the existing office building was reconfigured for hospitality tenancies.

“As long-term tenants, we have seen The Green become a key attraction factor in the working environment we can offer our teams on site. With plenty of outdoor space, great food options, and public transport right next door, The Green has elevated Central Park and made a real difference to our experience of working here.”

Angela, New Zealand Health Partnerships

The development of The Green food and beverage precinct radically transformed an area that was previously dated, disconnected and car park dominated, into a place where people can gather to take advantage of new centrally located and modern facilities. The development’s reputation played a significant part in Oyster securing a new 3,350sqm office building, currently under construction for KiwiRail.

Meanwhile, demand for tenancies at Central Park show that it’s a place companies want to be: the asset is over 95% occupied.