Since 2000, Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour has been the (un)official home of the America’s Cup, with a host of convivial restaurants and bars, world-class hotels, and its prime position making it the perfect port of call for celebrations. And, whether racing is taking place near or far, the precinct never fails to pull out all the stops, giving Cup fever-stricken Kiwis a front row seat to the unfolding action.
As the new millennium dawned, so too did a new era for Auckland’s hospitality scene, as Viaduct Harbour began its transformation into the vibrant culinary and cultural precinct it stands as today. The catalyst? The 30th America’s Cup.
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The 1995 Cup, held in San Diego, is forever etched in the minds of all Kiwis, as New Zealand’s Black Magic (skippered by the late, great Sir Peter Blake) swept all five races to lift the cup from the US for only the second time in 144 years. Unsurprisingly, five years later when the event was to be held in Auckland, the city pulled out all the stops — with Viaduct Harbour primed to play host to those looking to get in on the action, given its front row seat to the Waitematā. The precinct was transformed from an industrial fishing port into the premier America’s Cup hub for the March event, and, following New Zealand’s victory and the incredible celebrations that ensued, Viaduct Harbour solidified its standing as the home of the America’s Cup — a mantle it has upheld to this day.
During the 2000 event (and 2003, which we also played host to), downtown Auckland went through a period of rapid growth, with the development of the Viaduct Harbour into a large-scale entertainment and residential precinct a catalyst for the city’s forward momentum. Sir Peter Blake’s vision for the 30th America’s Cup was to create a venue where the syndicate bases were integrated into a vibrant waterfront neighbourhood, and as such, the Cup facilities were designed to be integrated into a new mixed-use urban extension, resulting in the establishment of Auckland’s first waterfront entertainment precinct in Viaduct Harbour. Team bases lined the western end, which gave the public unprecedented views of the bases and team activity, and across both 2000 and 2003 the restaurants and bars in the area were lively hives of activity, overflowing with people every night of the week during the regattas.
Unfortunately, Team New Zealand didn’t take out the 2003 Cup, and racing went offshore, but Viaduct Harbour’s commitment to the Cup never dwindled. Hosting events throughout the 2007 event, including an uproarious celebration following the newly rebranded Emirates Team New Zealand’s whitewash win, enjoyment of the Cup felt just as thrilling as if it were taking place on the waters just beyond. The 2010, 2013, and 2017 events were similarly convivial affairs, as Viaduct Harbour continued to introduce exceptional venues that only added to the lively locale’s allure throughout the Cups.
Fast-forward to 2021, with racing back on home soil, despite the limitations caused by Covid the event was an exceptional one indeed, as Aucklanders once again became swept up in celebrations, making for Viaduct Harbour to dine, sip champagne, and watch on as our team once again did us proud at home. In fact, the 2021 challenge saw a further expansion of Viaduct Harbour’s America’s Cup Village, where the ‘Upper Deck’ pop-up at Market Square provided a great spot to catch all of the racing action, with a big screen, and plenty of shaded seating to enjoy the racing.
Now, as we gear up to watch Emirates Team New Zealand attempt a hat trick, this time in Barcelona, Viaduct Harbour is once again planning it’s festivities, with a number of lively venues on-hand to welcome Kiwis seeking to celebrate our team on the water, at the most obvious of locations, the jewel in the crown of Auckland’s waterfront entertainment scene.
