Living or Working on a Wharf

A building on a wharf is surrounded by water on three sides and by the public on the fourth. That combination shapes daily life more than any view does.

Wind. Out on the end of a finger wharf there is nothing to break a gust. Doors catch, umbrellas give up and anything left loose on a balcony will eventually go over the rail. Wellington’s southerlies can turn a calm afternoon raw within the hour, so people who live and work over the water tend to keep an eye on MetService warnings as a matter of habit.

Salt. Spray and salt-laden air settle on glass, metal and paint. Exterior surfaces need washing more often than they would a few streets inland, and fixings, balustrades and hardware are chosen and checked with corrosion in mind. The Building Code’s durability clause, B2, is the starting point for how long building elements are expected to last, and marine exposure makes that question sharper. Our post on salt air and painted exteriors goes into the maintenance side.

Public access. Wellington’s waterfront is a public space, and the ground level of Clyde Quay Wharf is open to the public. Residents and workers share their front door with the city. That brings life and passing trade, along with noise on summer evenings and the occasional visitor peering at a window. Good design separates private and public spaces without walling the wharf off.

Upkeep. Piles, decking and the structure below the waterline are maintained over long cycles, often through a body corporate’s long-term maintenance plan. More on that is under resident services.