The Future is Calling Apr 30, 2009
Construction is underway on Telecom’s new property in Auckland, and is imminent in Wellington.
Telecom will relocate 1700 Wellington staff from six sites to its new headquarters at 52 Willis St, to be completed by The Wellington Company in 2011. As majority tenant, they are committing to 19,000sqm (of the building’s 26,000maqm) for an initial 12-year term.
In Auckland, Manson TCLM holds the reins of the former Auckland Mail Service Centre location at Victoria St West. During the next 2.5 years they will reshape the land into four buildings housing Telecom’s new 30,000sqm headquarters, consolidating more than 2800 staff from six sites into the campus.
With both locations, proximity to public transport was crucial, says Telecom Property Manager Jim Robb: “You can only do so much in the way you run a building to reduce your carbon footprint, but by placing that building adjacent to public transport you have the ability to get people out of their cars and get a second hit at the carbon target.”
To achieve their vision, Telecom chose a project management company with offices in both cities, and a reputation for delivering, whatever the challenge. “We had to get the best people on our team. In terms of The Building Intelligence Group, it came down to an instinctive feeling – there was an indescribable x-factor that gave them the edge. And to date they’ve been outstanding,” says Jim.
The Building Intelligence Group team, led by Project Director Gareth Skirrow and Senior Project Manager Kevin Carroll, is excited to be part of the overall project. “A project of this size and complexity demands strong and proven systems and a proactive attitude to ensure all stakeholders are heading in the same direction,” says Gareth. “This development has brought together some of the finest companies and individuals of the highest calibre. As a result, the quality of design, construction and management is exceptional.”
The Building intelligence Group is working closely with Mansons TCLM to ensure the client receives a truly outstanding facility. Indeed, the campus-style properties will deliver a double whammy: maximising local operational efficiencies and achieving sustainability goals.
Eco-innovations will include active chilled beam cooling technologies, energy efficient lighting, solar panels and possibly wind turbines and a thermally active exterior. Construction materials and technologies will also be chosen to reduce environmental impact. “We are working with both developers to do fully integrated fitouts that will help us achieve a Five Star Green Star NZ rating,” says Jim. “We have to design our fitout two years before the building’s built, so we’ve got to get it right first time.”