New lease of life

When a restaurant has been well-known for many years and has operated successfully from the same premises for its entire life, a change of location needs to be approached with care.

Angus Steak House, which has been run for the last 40 years by three generations of the same family, had to relocate late last year. The new premises were to be in a building that had begun life more than 100 years ago as a wool warehouse, then had done time as office and retail space, but more recently had fallen into a bad state of disrepair.

Interior fit-out specialist Ashcon, led by managing director Geoff Ash, took on the contract to refit the space, working closely with architect Parlante Design. Angus Steak House wanted to keep the same format and theme as the original restaurant, so Ashcon stripped out the space, sandblasted the old brick walls, cleaned up the kauri floorboards and added a mezzanine level to create more seating areas. Funky architectural details, such as sliding panels made from rough-sawn timber and feature walls, add interest to the new restaurant. To meet council codes, Ashcon installed modern services, including ventilation, lighting and fire prevention. Many of these are exposed, creating a slightly industrial look for the new restaurant.

Ashcon has been in business for 45 years and specialises in interior fit-outs and renovations. With a team of project managers and administration staff, as well as its own wooden joinery and aluminium joinery factories, Ashcon has the resources to undertake projects of all sizes.

For more information, contact Ashcon, PO Box 10, Takanini, Auckland 1702, phone (09) 268 6808, fax (09) 268 6809. Email: geoff@stanash.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas