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Amazing Spaces Hamilton CBD Edition, July 2022

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The seed was initiated some 5 years ago after seeing the popularity of Hamilton’s Fine Homes Tour. Hamilton Central Business Association General Manager, Vanessa Williams, and I were discussing the relative merits of various architecturally designed homes in and around Hamilton.

July 2022 in the shadow of Covid-19 and the Love the Centre campaign to bring people back into the central city, the tour concept finally took shape.

The HCBA Development Tour was limited to two 90min events of 25 people on each, at the end of July. Being well over-subscribed, we are considering how and when another edition may be possible.

I have been privileged to play a part in the many redevelopments that have occurred in and around our CBD, so was keen for others to experience a snippet of the many developments that have taken place – since 2019 alone, we highlighted 16 new builds, 16 significant upgrades / redevelopments and 12 proposed new builds / redevelopments. While the CBD transformation started in earnest in 2012, when we sold Matt Stark his very first central city project (now Urban Homes, on the corner of Anglesea & London Streets), we saw it as important to showcase spaces that people would otherwise not have the opportunity to see or experience.

Ward Lane Apartment – the former granary (aka Ward Lane Tavern) is a truely stunning reflection of what can be achieved with inner city living. A two year project where attention to detail and utilising the buildings original features, has enabled an absolutely unique outcome.

 

 

 

 

Designwell at 10 Garden Place – part of Panama Square (interconnected buildings at 14, 12 and 10 Garden Place) this bespoke space was created with the removal of two previous ceilings, to provide a creative and collaborative design layout.

 

 

 

 

Ibis on Alma Street – this prototype room has been constructed in an entirely separate building to millimetre perfect design, which has enabled design modifications and improvements prior to being replicated in the Ibis itself. This room design will be the first of its type in the Pacific region. A shout out to Ibis Hamilton Tainui who recently sold 126 room combos, including beds (under 4 years sold), mini bar fridge, 32 inch flat screen TV, alarm clock, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, phone, kettle and a room chair for between $200-$400 per room to organisations that help those in need. They also donated 40 bed and linen packages to local charity groups as their way to give back to the community.

 

 

 

 

 

Edwards White Architects at 286 Victoria Street – situated within the Riverbank Lane development, the floor was stripped to a bare shell, as they had outgrown their previous space. Excellent natural light flows, meeting rooms, a communal social kitchen and breakout spaces provide a modern and interactive work space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bettle & Associates, The Rooftop at 298 Victoria Street – also within the Riverbank Lane development, this structure was created independently and then craned on to the building. The expansive Waikato River views are exceptional and unrestricted. Incorporating an extensive balcony, this is a modern boutique space which is unparalleled in many respects.

 

 

 

 

There has been a lot of talk about the death of offices and everyone wanting to work from home – we challenge anyone who went on either of the recent tours, to say that having seen these spaces, that they would prefer to work from home.

We thank the business and building owners for their willingness to feature in our tour and for allowing us to showcase some of the best Hamilton has to offer.

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About Author

Mike Neale

Mike is the Managing Director of NAI Harcourts Hamilton