What’s been happening at Gaze?

3 July 2019

Wondertree 9 min

Mid-way through the year and the team here at Gaze Commercial have been nothing short of busy. With numerous projects having been completed recently and many more in full swing, we wanted to share some of the exciting things that our team has been working on.

Projects

As a part of the departures upgrade at Auckland International Airport, Gaze worked with Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR) to develop two new food establishments. Wondertree and Aroha Cafe & Bar opened in November 2018, and early March this year as two new eateries where travellers of all sorts can sit and relax before embarking on their journeys. Gaze is also currently working with ELR to complete their third hospitality venue at Auckland International Airport Departures; Vantage bar, which is due to open at the end of August.

After moving due to the 2011 earthquakes, The New Zealand Merino Company wanted to relocate their office back into the heart of Christchurch CBD. Requiring an encompassing space where clients, partners, and employees would feel at home, it was also important that this new workplace reflected the brand’s core values. Revealing Studio ZQ, the new spearhead of NZ Merino’s innovation and business development, this project allowed our designer to collaborate significantly with the client’s creative team. Upon completion, the opening of this new premises coincided with the 8th anniversary of the February 22nd Christchurch earthquakes.

Entering reception/office space from the lifts

Having previously completed Datacom Auckland’s new CBD office, Datacom Tauranga engaged Gaze to design their new Tauranga premises. Wanting to carry on the look and feel from their Auckland counterpart, our design team, led by Anel Difford, developed a concept that stayed true to their request, whilst allowing for some local nuances to be incorporated. Fulfilling our promise, the client trusted that everything would be taken care of and that the result was what they had envisioned.

Fresh Faces

The first half of this year has been exciting with some new faces joining the team. From across the ditch in Melbourne, Darren Gill joins the Auckland team as a Project Manager. Coming from the fast-paced property restoration industry, Darren is equipped with great insights and expertise within the field. Secondly, Andrei Ossipov joined our talented design team in late May, as a Senior Revit Technician. Originally from Russia, Andrei holds a great deal of expertise within the industry and will further incorporate Revit best practices into our design capability.

What we’re looking forward to

With the second half of 2019 already underway, Gaze Commercial has a lot to look forward to. After previously working on Wondertree and Aroha at Auckland International Airport, Gaze is working with Emirates Leisure Retail to complete Vantage Bar before the commencement of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Located in the international departures lounge, games will be featured on the large TV screens at this two-level venue, whilst the restaurant serves up some of New Zealand’s finest produce. In addition, Gaze has designed and will be soon completing Stage 2 of the first Hudson’s Coffee outlet at Auckland’s Domestic Departures.

In Christchurch, James & Wells have recently been looking to relocate their operations. Requiring a purpose-built office, Gaze Commercial has been engaged to design and fit out their new space. The company wants an open-plan layout, that allows for greater flexibility, whilst still being able to ensure that activity-based spaces have thoughtfully been incorporated. We are currently in the midst of this project and look forward to having it ready for the client to move into in the coming months.

In Wellington, Gaze Commercial was named the main contractor for the development of Chevron Suites. Working alongside Solari Architects, King & Dawson and Michael Stretton Consulting Engineers, Gaze is involved in the seismic strengthening and conversion of a commercial building into a set of residential apartments. Located at 267 Wakefield Street, Wellington, Chevron Suites will also include a retail level on the ground floor and is planned for completion mid-2020.

With a lot having already been accomplished this year, we can’t wait for what the rest of the year has in store for us. The Gaze team looks forward to making many more clients very happy with their property solutions and having a heap of fun along the way. To join in the fun and stay updated, follow Gaze on LinkedIn and Facebook.

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