Countdown to World-Class Cuba Central Campus Starts Today

Countdown to World-Class Cuba Central Campus Starts Today

Press Release 17 August 2015

Cuba Street will be transformed by a $70M development which started today with a “ground breaking” ceremony led by Te Āti Awa and attended by members of the film, creative and performing arts sector; central and local government; designers, producers, digital technologists and special effects makeup artists and creators.

Cuba Central is the working title for a new tertiary education campus for Whitireia New Zealand and the Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) and which will house more than 1000 New Zealand and international students in a state of the art campus. The campus for the futureis the cornerstone development of a wider project by Willis Bond & Co that also includes some prime retail spaces in the ground level of the building to further revitalise this vibrant and popular inner-city precinct.

Roger Sowry, Chair of WelTec and Whitireia says, “Wellington has an international reputation for film and television production. We are the creative and film production capital of New Zealand and this campus will be an exceptional world-class facility where creativity collides.”

“This development is a turning point for tertiary education in the capital city and also for the industries and sectors of the economy that will be employing our graduates in a few years’ time. This will be a campus like no other in the world. Our distinctive culture and heritage will be celebrated in a fantastic modern learning environment,” says Roger Sowry.

“A huge effort is going on right now consulting with industry and local communities to design a campus for the future with a distinct flavour of Aotearoa New Zealand and reflecting our unique place in the Pacific.

“Wellingtonians will be able to enjoy shows, exhibitions and performances experiencing students’ talent first-hand. We are keen for industry and the creative technologies and arts sectors to be part of Cuba Central and we are working on options for partners to join us,” says Roger Sowry. “Whitireia and WelTec see this as a hugely innovative development. The Centre will provide opportunities for students and staff to learn in a world-class campus right in the heart of Wellington. Cuba Central, which will be open by 2018, will be a hub for creativity, performance and applied arts and we are very proud to be part of this milestone ground-breaking ceremony today,” says Roger Sowry.

David McGuinness, Willis Bond & Co Project Director says, “We are very pleased to be underway with this project, which plays an important role in the future growth of the Cuba Quarter as well as the city itself. We have worked closely with Athfield Architects Ltd and the project team to ensure that the building maintains the heritage feel and vibrancy of Cuba Street, whilst also being a state-of-the-art facility for around 1,000 students. We see enormous potential for Cuba Central to deliver for WelTec and Whitireia and Wellingtonians alike.”

Steve LaHood, Director of Wellington based Story Inc. says, “This is an opportunity for the city’s creative companies to collaborate with staff and students and help grow the next generation of creativity. The building will be an asset to the city. The graduates and their ideas will help keep Wellington at the forefront of emerging intellectual property, technology and performing arts.

“Students from Cuba Central will breathe new life into the inner city precinct around Victoria and Cuba streets,” says Wellington’s Deputy Mayor, Justin Lester who attended the ground-breaking ceremony today. “The 1000 more tertiary students will boost activity in the Cuba Street central area,” he says. “Wellington has started on a new growth path and the Wellington City Council is supporting our invest to grow strategy, allocating $800 million for spending on new projects,” says Justin Lester.

Karen Ross cultural consultant and mentor, and former Chief Executive of the New Zealand Book Council says, “I welcome this new oasis for education, culture and creativity to further enhance Wellington’s colourful mantle of innovation, fresh thinking and ideas. Cuba Central will be a magnet for students not just from Wellington, but from all New Zealand and further afield. Cuba Central will produce rich cultural capital and incredible opportunity for students who study here, and for Wellington.”

Malia Johnston Choreographer for Creative Direction says, “The intersection of the creative arts and the area of technology is hugely important and having the variety of cutting edge environments on the same campus is going to create a dynamic learning space at Cuba Central.”

ENDS

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