North Shore City breaks ground on new council annexe

5 September 2008

At a dawn ceremony today North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams turned the first sod to mark the start of construction of an extension to the North Shore City Council’s head office in Takapuna.

The new four storey annexe, which is due for completion in 14 months’ time, will house about 250 council staff who are currently based in the council’s Environmental Services building in Lake Rd.

It will also provide room for a small number of Transport staff who are based in the former council area office across the road from head office.

Mayor Williams says that the annexe will enable all Takapuna-based council staff to work under one roof, and put an end to a sometimes confusing situation where North Shore residents are not always certain which building they need to go to.

“The new annexe will mean that all council services are provided at a one-stop shop.”

Mayor Williams says the building owners have worked with the council in aiming to achieve four-star green status for the new annexe, which means that environmentally friendly building materials will be used wherever possible.

“North Shore City Council has a reputation nationwide for its sustainable practices, and this building will showcase our commitment.”

The annexe will have several sustainable features including ensuring efficient use of energy and water. Inside, work areas will be utilised in the most efficient way possible, with the bonus of commanding views of the Waitemata Harbour.

Takapuna is going through a whole revitalisation of its CBD. This large council building complements the recently opened 30-storey Sentinel Apartments, the planned 20-storey Merge complex and other Takapuna redevelopment projects in the pipeline.
The council building at No 1 The Strand is owned by Strand Plaza Takapuna Ltd, who have worked in partnership with the council for several years to bring the project to this point.

The annexe is being built by Northcote-based Haydn & Rollett Construction, which has built a number of substantial commercial buildings in Auckland and elsewhere in New Zealand.

Once the new annexe is completed in January 2010, a total of approximately 700 staff will work in the building. It will add 4,000 square metres of floor space to the council’s head office, bringing the total to 12,000 square metres.

ENDS

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