The upcycling of heritage buildings to create a thriving brand, mixed use destination and workplaces
HB Central
The HB Central redevelopment gives a new lease of life to an important part of Auckland’s CBD building history. Established in 1880 and 1914, the original buildings of HB Central were once home to the early Bendix Hallenstein’s fashion label: Hallenstein Brothers. Makers of high-end gentlemen’s clothing, the brand’s focus on quality fabrics and detailed craftsmanship is respectfully reflected throughout the space and identity of the building.
Our client sought a design partner to ambitiously stitch together two of Auckland’s oldest buildings, offering 900sqm of prime retail fronting Queen Street, and 2,000sqm of offices and cafe fronting Lorne Street. We developed the strategic framework for the building functions, seismic strengthening and restoration, architecture and interior design.
The entry to five floors of office was moved to Lorne Street and an ambitious new circulation space created within the old lightwell. The new space has been formed through the removal of a series of safes to enlarge the space, and a new stair has been suspended from the roof structure above as a crisp counterpoint to the existing building fabric.
A thoughtful design supporting an effective programme, the repositioning of two historic linked structures results in desirable turnkey boutique commercial spaces that contribute to the much-needed revitalisation of Midtown.
These century-old buildings set a benchmark in achieving a 5-star Green Star rating, demonstrating the viability, cultural and commercial value of repurposing significant buildings in Auckland’s CBD.
A home for innovators
The vision for HB central was to be a home for small-medium sized innovators and industry challengers. To appeal to these organisations, the floorplates were designed for flexibility. Each level includes meeting rooms, curated workspaces, collaborative/social spaces, and a kitchenette. A rooftop terrace provides inhabitants with the ultimate spot to seek respite during the working day. The development, in a sub-prime part of Auckland’s CBD (mid-town) is now fully leased and occupied by progressive tech/creatives.
From the moment you walk into HB Central you feel good. One tenant said they want to live here and that sums up the ethos of the project – that people really want to be here in this authentic environment.
A cohesive building identity
Our brand design team led the overall brand identity, marketing collateral, visualisations, signage and wayfinding and the ongoing public launch campaign. This holistic overview ensured a strong and cohesive sense of identity was communicated across all touch points.
The choice to repurpose and celebrate an existing building’s fabric rather than rebuild, enables a reduced embodied carbon footprint. Achieving a 5 Star Green Star rating, the preservation of the original character of the building keeps many of the original construction features and scars, including existing artworks uncovered in the renovation, and finishes with fewer new materials.
Collective Effort
Collective Effort
