Highbrook Business Park achieves industry excellence

MEDIA RELEASE
11.6.2011
Highbrook Business Park achieves industry excellence

A world-class business park in Auckland was last night recognised with the Rider Levett Bucknall Supreme Award at the annual Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards 2011.

The 194-hectare Highbrook Business Park was judged against 18 other finalists for the “best of the best” Supreme Award, announced at a gala dinner in the Langham Hotel’s Great Room in Auckland.

The result of 20 years’ planning and effort, Highbrook Business Park impressed judges as an internationally competitive development and deemed a very deserving winner.

A former stud farm (Ra Ora) owned by the Fisher family, the development retains the original homestead (residence of the late Sir Woolf and Lady Fisher) designed by American Arthur Frolich. Recognising its strategic location on the Waiouru Peninsula, the Fisher family worked closely with the then Manukau City Council to rezone the land as Business 5 for commercial purposes.

It will ultimately accommodate 550,000 square metres of varying business types including manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, technology, offices and retail.

A joint venture between Goodman New Zealand Limited and Fisher Family Trust, Highbrook Development Limited worked with Peter Walker Partners to develop the urban design structure of the estate and planning and infrastructure requirements, resulting in an award-winning urban design and amenity focus that maximises the exceptional natural attributes of the land.
Chief Judge John Dunn commended the tireless planning and design, immense scope of the project, adherence to the master plan, attention to detail and collaboration – managing numerous stakeholders throughout various stages.

The long-running Property Council Rider Levett Bucknall Awards are New Zealand’s most prestigious commercial property awards, attracting submissions for the country’s top commercial properties. The awards celebrate excellence in commercial property development.
This year, the number of entries was significantly higher than last year, indicating the commercial property market remains active, despite the recession. Mr Dunn said this, along with the quality of entries, was telling. “It is particularly impressive, given the challenging economic climate, but it also reflects the reality that strong fundamentals are necessary in difficult markets.”

Property Council chief executive Connal Townsend said the fact that market fundamentals had not restricted the variety and types of properties across the categories was an exciting sign. “The large number of entries this year was somewhat surprising and very pleasing. It is not easy to achieve excellence in the current market, so this year we are especially delighted to champion those properties who have reached this high benchmark.”

The Awards are an annual celebration of excellence in property development – efficient use of capital, maximum investor return and for public buildings, the greatest community benefit.

“Property Council, along with Rider Levett Bucknall, is extremely proud to congratulate all finalists, which are making an incredibly positive contribution to the quality of the built environment in New Zealand.”

Submissions for the awards are open to both members and non-members of Property Council New Zealand. Entries go through a rigorous, 12-week process in which a panel of judges review each submission, setting it against detailed criteria. Judging also involves site visits.

Submissions need to show economic and financial data and are judged on the return on investment, operation and maintenance factors, the degree of difficulty, environmentally sustainable features, usability and urban design principles.

For example, entries need to show innovation in architectural or engineering design, the efficiency of structure and construction materials and quality of external and internal design and finishes.

Operational factors include air conditioning systems and the quality of building services such as lighting, lifts, security and fire protection. The ability to cope with changes in technology and a positive contribution to the built environment are all considered.

2011 WINNERS: (submitted by)
Rider Levett Bucknall Supreme Award
Highbrook Business Park (Highbrook Development Limited) AUCKLAND
Finalists:
Telecom Place (Beca and Mansons TCLM) AUCKLAND
Lion Integrated Beverage Facility ‘The Pride’ (Lion Nathan and Beca) AUCKLAND
Government House (Beca) WELLINGTON
Papatoetoe Sports Centre (MPM Projects Limited) AUCKLAND
The Supreme Court of New Zealand (The Building Intelligence Group) WELLINGTON
Highbrook Business Park (Highbrook Development Limited) AUCKLAND
Eden Park (Populous, Jasmax, RCP, Aurecon and Beca) AUCKLAND
New Lynn Station AUCKLAND
(Beca, Fletcher Construction Company, NZ Strong Construction, and Architectus)
NMIT Arts and Media Building (Irving Smith Jack Architects) NELSON
NZI Centre (Newcrest Group) AUCKLAND
Stage 1 Anselmi Ridge (McConnell Property) AUCKLAND
Stonefields Stage Three (Todd Property Group) AUCKLAND
Blue Water Black Magic: A Tribute to Sir Peter Blake (MPM Projects) AUCKLAND
The Plaza Shopping Centre, Palmerston North PALMERSTON NTH
(Kiwi Income Property Trust)
Albany Senior High School (Jasmax and Arrow International) AUCKLAND
Auckland International Airport (Beca, Auckland Airport, Ignite and S&T) AUCKLAND
Mangere Arts Centre – Nga Tohu o Uenuku
(Auckland Council, Creative Spaces and RDT Pacific) AUCKLAND
TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre – The Pah Homestead AUCKLAND
(Auckland Council, Matthews and Matthews Architects Ltd, RDT Pacific, NZ Strong Group Ltd)
Wintec House (Mainzeal Property and Construction Limited) HAMILTON
Coffey, Education and Arts Award
Excellence:
Albany Senior High School (Jasmax and Arrow International) AUCKLAND
Mangere Arts Centre – Nga Tohu o Uenuku
(Auckland Council, Creative Spaces and RDT Pacific) AUCKLAND
NMIT Arts and Media Building (Irving Smith Jack Architects Limited) NELSON
Wintec House (Mainzeal Property and Construction Limited) HAMILTON
Merit:
AUT AJ School of Education Building (Jasmax Ltd) AUCKLAND
AUT Lecture Theatres and Conference centre (AUT) AUCKLAND
AUT Manukau – Building MC (Jasmax) AUCKLAND
Remarkables Primary School (Coffey Projects (NZ) Ltd) QUEENSTOWN
The Alan MacDiarmid Building (Jasmax Limited) WELLINGTON
TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre – The Pah Homestead AUCKLAND
(Auckland Council, Matthews and Matthews Architects Ltd, RDT Pacific, NZ Strong Group Ltd)
Hawkins, Heritage and Adaptive Reuses Property Award
Excellence:
Government House (Beca) WELLINGTON
The Supreme Court of New Zealand (The Building Intelligence Group) WELLINGTON
TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre – The Pah Homestead AUCKLAND
(Auckland Council, Matthews and Matthews Architects Ltd, RDT Pacific, NZ Strong Group Ltd)
Wintec House (Mainzeal Property and Construction Limited) HAMILTON
Merit:
AUT Manukau - Building MC (Jasmax) AUCKLAND
Hays, Commercial Office Property Award
Excellence:
Telecom Place (Beca and Mansons TCLM) AUCKLAND
Merit:
Asteron Centre (One Featherston Development Ltd) WELLINGTON
Order of St John National and Northern Regional Headquarters WELLINGTON
(Pragmatix Ltd)
Pipitea House (Redwood Group Limited) WELLINGTON
The Slider Building AUCKLAND
(McDougall Reidy & Co Limited and Haydn & Rollett Construction Limited)
Holmes Consulting Group, Tourism and Leisure Property Award
Excellence:
Eden Park (Populous, Jasmax, RCP, Aurecon and Beca) AUCKLAND
Merit:
Don Rowlands Events Centre (Hawkins Construction) LAKE KARAPIRO
The Celestion Waldorf Apartments (Kalmar Construction Limited) AUCKLAND
Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitors Centre WAITOMO
(Hawkins Construction Limited and Davis Langdon)
ZEALANDIA (Beca and Jasmax) WELLINGTON
Natural Habitats Landscapes, Urban Land Developments Property Award
Excellence:
Highbrook Business Park (Highbrook Development Limited) AUCKLAND
Stage 1 Anselmi Ridge (McConnell Property Limited) AUCKLAND
Stonefields Stage Three (Todd Property Group Limited) AUCKLAND
Merit:
Hobsonville Point Stage One AUCKLAND
(Hobsonville Land Company and AVJennings)
Karaka Lakes (Harrison Grierson) AUCKLAND
RCG, Retail Property Award
Excellence:
Auckland International Airport (Beca, Auckland Airport, Ignite and S&T) AUCKLAND
The Plaza Shopping Centre (Kiwi Income Property Trust) PALMERSTON NORTH
Special Purpose Property Award
Excellence:
Blue Water Black Magic: A Tribute to Sir Peter Blake AUCKLAND
(MPM Projects Limited)
Government House (Beca) WELLINGTON
New Lynn Station AUCKLAND
(Beca, Fletcher Construction Company, NZ Strong Construction Ltd, Architectus)
Papatoetoe Sports Centre (MPM Projects Limited) AUCKLAND
The Supreme Court of New Zealand (The Building Intelligence Group) WELLINGTON
Merit:
Aotea Square Redevelopment (Auckland Council) AUCKLAND
Christchurch International Airport- New control Tower CHRISTCHURCH
(Designgroup, Paris Magdalinos Architects Ltd)
Invercargill High and District Courthouse INVERCARGILL
(Arrow International Ltd, Ministry of Justice)
Kerikeri Police Station (Mainzeal Property & Construction Limited) KERIKERI
Northland Events Centre (RCP) WHANGAREI
Te Wharewaka (architecture+) WELLINGTON
Terminal Development Project WELLINGTON
(Beca and Wellington International Airport Ltd)
Trends, Industrial Property Award
Excellence:
Lion Integrated Beverage Facility ‘The Pride’ (Lion Nathan and Beca) AUCKLAND
Merit:
D&H Steel Construction Facility AUCKLAND
(Clearwater Construction Ltd & ASC Architects)
Nelson Technical Hangar NELSON
(Aurecon and Mainzeal Property and Construction)
Southern Spars Building AUCKLAND
(McDougall Reidy & Co Limited and Haydn & Rollett Construction Limited)
The Laminex Distribution Centre (DNZ Property Fund Limited) AUCKLAND
Resene, Green Building Property Awards
This award is supported by the New Zealand Green Building Council
Excellence:
NZI Centre (Newcrest Group) AUCKLAND
Merit:
Ironbank (Samson Corporation Limited) AUCKLAND
Thanks to our Awards Judges 2011:
1. John Dunn, Principal, John Dunn Property Consultancy
2. Paul Keane, Executive Chairman, RCG
3. Sean Molloy, Director, Extensor Advisory
4. Ron Macdonald, Director Valuation and Advisory, Jones Lang LaSalle
5. Max Russell, Director, Max Russell Consultancy
6. Barry Copeland, Director, Copeland Associates Architects
7. Neil Purdie, Executive, Aurecon
8. The New Zealand Green Building Council - Technical Committee

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