New landmark building showcase for Hutt Valley construction

New landmark building a showcase for Hutt Valley commercial construction

EMBARGOED until 6pm Tuesday 10th March

The Honourable Hekia Parata, Minister of Education today officially opened “Aglionby House”; the new headquarters for local construction firm, Armstrong Downes Commercial.

Local dignitaries and more than 170 of the ‘who’s who’ from the Wellington region’s commercial construction and business community were in attendance as the Minister unveiled a large Hutt Valley river rock as part of the opening ceremony.

The building sets a new standard for commercial offices in the Hutt Valley. It demonstrates strong environmental features including rainwater recovery for toilets and watering gardens, solar panels, sensor controlled low energy LED lighting throughout, large double glazing for natural light and solar gain. It is appropriately industrial and includes many unique design touches, internal open plan office facilities and a large first floor deck for entertaining staff and guests. The building also features a one-off spray-painted mural of iconic Lower Hutt areas.

Armstrong Downes Commercial estimates around 90% of the materials and construction are from local companies.

With strong local roots, company owners and directors Simon Taylor and Tony Doile chose the name “Aglionby House” in recognition of the area’s history. Records show the “Hamlet of Aglionby” was the first name for Lower Hutt.

Simon Taylor says, “In 1840 Wakefield records ‘the Village of Aglionby contains an excellent tavern, a small building used as a church and school, blacksmiths forge, several shops, two good farm houses and numerous labourers’ cottages.’ And now 175 years later this area contains a very stylish, modern office building that sets a completely new standard for office premises in the Hutt Valley. Aglionby House has been built by and showcases many of the construction and trade skills of people from across the whole region.”

The building has been on the cards for a number of years. Tony Doile says “One of our company values is ‘we do what we say we will’. We’ve been promising this office to ourselves and staff for a number of years, and now it’s finally here.”

Simon Taylor says, “We pride ourselves on delivering outstanding buildings across the whole Wellington region. After more than 23 years of building great premises for other people, it is a thrill to finally have such a stylish and modern building of our own. Tony and I have a deep passion to see Armstrong Downes Commercial grow from here into something we can be even more proud of. Aglionby House not only demonstrates our pride in our heritage; it shows our commitment to and optimism for the future – delivering the best commercial construction projects across the region.”

ENDS

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