We're excited to announce the reopening of the James Smith Carpark at 152 Wakefield Street. The first 100 ground floor parks are now available for use, with remaining floors opening in six-week intervals. By early 2026, over 700 much-needed parking spaces will be restored to Wellington's city centre.
The James Smith building, significantly damaged in the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake and subsequently closed, has been thoroughly repaired and seismically upgraded. Our partners, Keyway Construction, ensured the building now meets 100% NBS, aligning with modern seismic safety requirements. "This carpark is a key piece of infrastructure in the Wellington CBD, and we are excited to be able to help bring life and activity back to this part of the city,” says Primeproperty Development Manager Guy Aharoni. The strengthening included new sheer walls, collector beams, and strengthening of the iconic spiral ramp.
Our Primeparking division is rolling out smart technology for effortless parking, including Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) and guided parking systems. Simply download the PARKnGO app, drive in, and the LPR system handles everything: no paper tickets, no queues, just a seamless "park and go" experience.
Primeparking has led the way in New Zealand with LPR technology, working with local developer Eyegate. The James Smith Carpark now joins our network of LPR-enabled sites across Wellington. “We pride ourselves on being a local, friendly parking operator with competitive rates. We offer one of the smartest, most user-friendly parking experiences in the city. You pay only for what you use - there’s no need to prepay for times you’re unlikely to use, and fines are not used to boost our revenue,” says Primeparking General Manager Matt Spence.
The reopening is part of Primeproperty’s wider investment in revitalising central Wellington. We're committed to delivering resilient, sustainable, and high-quality buildings that support the growth and vibrancy of New Zealand’s urban centres.
We look forward to welcoming you back to the James Smith Carpark!
