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Where Do you go when you want to expand your business within a tight street retail environment? One approach would be to expand into the space next door, another to build out the back of the premises, and a third might be to build a mezzanine floor. Or for more comprehensive effect, you could introduce all three.

This multi-faceted approach was taken when Amstar Construction was asked to expand the horizons of upmarket retail store Smith & Caughey's, says director Keith Brockbank.

"We basically stripped a building adjacent to the existing store, extended it at the rear, and built it up a storey, introducing a mezzanine floor in the expanded area. The trick was to seamlessly merge the spaces."

To this end, an intermediary brick wall was knocked down, post and beam supports introduced and dual escalators constructed.

Architect Grant Andrew of Swan Railley and Associates designed the expansion, including elements to downplay the merger.

"We introduced translucent roofing over the escalators, and coupled with a gridwork ceiling, this flooded natural light into the heart of the fit-out, helping blur the line between old and new," says Andrew. "This was a fiddly job and Amstar was helpful, responsive and maintained very open communication throughout."

Amstar also refurbished offices above the original store and built a fire corridor across the two buildings.

For more details, contact Amstar Construction, phone (09) 441 4550. Website: www.amstar.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas