Passion and potential

While the rampant redevelopment of Auckland's CBD which at one time earned Auckland the nickname City of Cranes' has waned, it has by no means come to an end. The America's Cup gave the Viaduct Harbour an international profile that has resulted in a number of prominent businesses taking up residence there.

Newcrest Group was development manager for the latest building to be completed, an eight-level commercial/retail project on Viaduct Harbour Avenue for key tenants including Microsoft New Zealand, Hewlett-Packard and Westpac, says spokesperson Lincoln Fraser.

"The project is the latest in a trilogy of buildings developed within the Viaduct Corporate Centre's campus environment, located around a central pedestrian and vehicle drop off plaza."

A local business presence for the past 15 years, continued growth during that period meant that Microsoft New Zealand was in the market for new premises, says spokesperson Stephen Robertson.

"Microsoft has been in New Zealand since 1991, beginning with a team of just four people. Today, the company has 130 staff in Auckland and Wellington."

The opportunity to move the Auckland team into larger, purpose-built offices and still retain its Viaduct presence was all the incentive the company needed.

"Staying within the Viaduct area a central location for customers and partners to visit and being able to house employees on the one floor were the important factors in the move," says Robertson.

For the developer, this latest project marks the successful partnership of a number of leading firms.

"All three buildings were designed by Jasmax Architects, with structural engineering by Buller George and services engineering by Stephenson & Turner. This latest building was constructed by Scarbro Construction Limited," says Fraser.

Story by: Trendsideas