The Event to Begin Summer – Gatsby Comes To Abbeville
And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had
that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer
F Scott Fitzgerald
Guests can expect a garden party with an edge on 1 December at Auckland Airport – with fine New Zealand food and
beverage flowing from late afternoon until evening at the newly restored Abbeville Estate.
With a theme of Gatsby Comes to Abbeville, chosen for a bygone era derived from Abbeville’s heritage combined with the buzz created by the upcoming Baz Luhrmann
remake of the film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this summer garden party will be Auckland Airport Business District's
inaugural annual Summer Event.
Freely moving throughout the estate, guests will be able to relax on lounge settings in flowing marquees, chill out in
the homestead or dance the night away in the Bootleg barn. The music of Peter Urlich and his band the Swingin’ Sextet will transport party-goers back in time and create the magic of dancing to the great songs of the Swing era.
Abbeville Estate features a number of carefully restored historic buildings, and the event will showcase New Zealand
food and wine in this premier setting.
The Gatsby Comes to Abbeville event will be held on Saturday 1 December from 4.00pm until 9.00pm and will attended by key corporate players and
celebrities from around the city.
Abbeville is a partnership between the legendary Sue Fleischl, founder of the Great Catering Company, and Auckland
Airport. Abbeville is a jewel in Auckland Airport’s crown, and was launched earlier this year – since playing host to a
number of conferences, parties and weddings throughout winter.
“The Gatsby theme is perfect for Abbeville and its special history being one of the only intact pre 1860 historic farm
complexes of this type remaining in the Auckland region," says Sue Fleischl.
“We will have so much fun creating the food and atmosphere to transport our guests into the era they have dressed for.”
This year’s chosen charity is The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.
“All money raised from ticket sales and donations on the day, will go directly to the New Zealand Breast Cancer
Foundation,” says Sean Thompson, Business Development Manager, Auckland Airport Business District.
“We wanted to start the summer at Abbeville with the perfect party, one that will benefit our chosen charity, one that
will be talked about with excitement and – with the timing – one that would be the perfect way to get colleagues or
friends together before the Christmas break.”
Tickets go on sale Thursday 1 November, and can be purchased from www.iticket.co.nz, or check out Facebook/abbevilleestate and website www.abbeville.co.nz for more details. Return courtesy coaches will run from the city to Abbeville for those wanting to enjoy the party
without driving.
Additional Information
• Abbeville Estate is a quality boutique development which is unique to this area and complementary to the
cultural landscape. It is located in an area situated within the Auckland Airport Business District precinct called “The
Common”, and is comprised of carefully restored heritage buildings. The Common includes heritage and recreation
activities, as well as weddings and other functions to showcase New Zealand food and wine
• The concept for Abbeville Estate was developed by urban designer Common Ground in accordance with the principles
of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Treaty. The restoration of these fabulous heritage
buildings was carefully undertaken and managed by a team of architects, project managers and contractors with experience
in heritage projects
• Abbeville Estate is part of a much wider master-planning and urban development approach from Auckland Airport,
looking to develop a stronger sense of ‘place’ and add to the rapidly growing amenities in the Auckland Airport Business
District, appealing to visitors, Aucklanders and businesses in the area
• The Auckland Airport Business District is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing economic hubs. Almost 22,000
people work around Auckland Airport, more than Newmarket’s entire workforce, and hundreds of businesses call it home.
The Auckland Airport Business District is surrounded by a rich community of businesses and services that offer people
the opportunity to work, rest, shop, play dine and fly – all in one location
ENDS