A Build for Needs that Couldn’t Wait
When you’re looking for storage solutions as a business or personal customer, no doubt you have specific requirements in mind. One of the top priorities is how seismically safe a storage building is, especially in Wellington. Another top priority is sustainability, buildings that reduce negative impacts on the environment during construction and continue to perform sustainably after completion. Along with a climate and humidity-controlled environment, these features keep sensitive and valuable items safe while stored, no matter the duration.
On sustainability, “Our customers want to see a commitment to and continued progress” says Leon Hulme, Managing Director of Crown Worldwide Group NZ. Feedback from Wellington businesses highlighted the struggle to find storage facilities that tick all these boxes. “There are customers where an IL3, Green Star rated, and climate and humidity-controlled environment are a non-negotiable – but options have been limited until now.”
Crown’s new storage facility will provide opportunities for customers that weren’t previously possible. “Using a company such as Crown with a facility that has these features, removes previous restrictions on growth. It provides our customers with the ability to move to the capital or expand their current businesses,” Leon notes.
Anchored in Porirua by design
Investing in this new build is part of Crown’s long-term commitment to Wellington. “Crown has been in Wellington since the 1980’s so we’ve been committed to the region for some time. ” says Leon, “and we’ve been in Porirua approaching a decade.” This investment reflects Crown’s evolution in the Wellington Region and the growing needs of our customers.
Leon thought it right to respect and reflect the surrounding area of Porirua in the new build, and this was an integral part of the design process for both Crown and Ashton Mitchell Architects. Porirua’s original name ‘Pari-rua’ means ‘the tide sweeping up both reaches’. As the new building overlooks Te Awarua-o-Porirua (Porirua Harbour), Ashton Mitchell created a motif that references the two arms of the harbour: Pāuatahanui and Onepoto inlets.
This motif will be used on the exterior of the building and in specialised glazing on both east and north-facing windows. As Ashton Mitchell explains: “This provides an identity to the building that is unique to Porirua – we wouldn’t replicate this motif if the building was located in Hamilton or Auckland.”
A Boost for the Local Economy
When you see a new building taking shape, you can be sure there are benefits for the local economy taking place at the same time.
One of the most obvious is creating work for local contractors and suppliers. Shane Wright, Project Manager from Q Construction notes, “Most of the contractors involved in the project are from the greater Wellington region so, in turn, suppliers are also mostly local.” As construction is very physical work, use of local eateries has been a regular occurrence.
The decision to build a permanent home in Porirua is one part of Crown’s long-term commitment to the Wellington region. Crown has two leased facilities in Wellington, one in Lower Hutt and one in Porirua which is just down the road from the new building. Once completed, all Crown’s teams will be working under the one roof.
When asked about the possibility of new jobs, Leon explains that while generally there would be about 50 staff working across the two facilities, “there could be as many as 100 Crown staff at peak times, from a broad spectrum of roles in operations, administration, sales and management.” These roles will give local residents opportunities to apply for different roles at all levels, including entry-level jobs. Leon continues, “There are always opportunities for local residents for all levels of roles, and training and career development is part of our core values.”
A Welcome Addition to the Neighbourhood
New buildings not only have an impact on the landscape, they also bring opportunities for the surrounding neighbourhood. When chatting with businesses in the area, Shane from Q Construction found that the overwhelming reaction from people working in the area was they saw these buildings as a welcome addition to the neighbourhood.
Crown’s new building will have positive effects on the surrounding businesses. This includes enhancing the local area’s profile, with the flow-on effect of bringing more business to the area.
A Commitment That Continues Past the Completion Date
Crown’s new Porirua build is IL3 rated with unique sustainability features to care for customer goods. These high-spec features in a Crown-owned building demonstrate Crown Worldwide NZ’s continuing commitment to the Porirua and Wellington community for many years ahead.
Leon explains this build is “a significant financial investment which signifies our commitment to our local community and customers.” Crown is no longer a tenant; it’s a permanent part of the Porirua community.
And Crown will continue to recruit locally. As Leon says, “Our people are from the local area, and we expect that we will continue to recruit locally, having a positive effect on the community.”
What’s Next
Health and safety is a huge part of constructing buildings in New Zealand. And it’s so much more than just a hard hat and a harness.
Look out for our next update, where we’ll share how safety starts at the very beginning – from first design to final completion, and beyond.
