America’s Cup 36

Creating the stage for America’s Cup racing

PROJECT: America’s Cup 36 CONTRACTOR: Wynyard Edge Alliance (WEA) CLIENT: Auckland Council (AC) and Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) VALUE: $270m

To meet the challenge of hosting the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter, MBIE and AC formed their first alliance committing close to $250m to prepare the waterfront for the AC36 event.

Wynyard Edge Alliance brought together a high-performing team of designers and constructors, working in a highly charged, dynamic environment to “create the stage for the America’s Cup and a waterfront destination that Kiwis love”.

At the time, nobody knew how many teams were coming, where they would be located, or how the bases would be configured. The uncertainty and risk associated with AC36 preparations required a leap of faith by all partners. The non-owner participant team of McConnell Dowell, Downer, Beca and Tonkin + Taylor adjusted quickly to changes in scope and delivered each base as the racing teams required them, with the last milestone met in November 2020.

The cumulative effect of over 20 breakthrough innovations delivered exceptional value for money and resulted in an on time and under budget delivery, with zero harm to people and the environment. Many of these innovations have resulted in a legacy extending well beyond the new waterfront infrastructure.