1950s knitwear factory gets a new life
With its new black corrugated-iron cladding and blue sunshade detailing, what was once a tired old factory has become a showcase refurbishment for Station205.
We had used the Archers building – named after the Archers Knitwear company who built it – for Bates Surfaces product testing and storage. But as the storage requirements of our paint business reduced due to new UV technology requiring a smaller footprint, we started working with Brown Day Group on a vision that would transform the space inside and out for new tenants.
Refurbishment began in 2020. Inside, we removed four internal columns and installed new trusses to transfer loads to the external walls. Outside, we widened the access driveways to accommodate Btrain truck entry and exits and removed six metres from the annex so we could install a wider roller door, creating a drive-through facility.
Plastering over the tired concrete block has freshened up the base walls outside, while inside we’ve lined the inside with the Bates Surfaces–coated product Hardieglaze™. The windows now comprise new double-glazed aluminium joinery for better insulation, and the new corrugated-iron roof enhances and pays tribute to the existing roof’s 1960s sawtooth profile.
The interior design and fit-out gave us an opportunity to showcase different Bates Surfaces products. For the entry foyer, we used CanvasCoat to create a digital image of the Auckland skyline. In the stairway and on fire-rated walls, we used concrete-look board for both its aesthetic and compliance. We used PlyPlay™ in the office upstairs and in the downstairs meeting room. Kitchens and bathrooms are lined with Hardieglaze tile board, and we covered the warehouse walls with PureCoat™, which also functions as a whiteboard. We’ve also created a whole new entrance to the office wing to enhance the front of the building and the approach.
Our aim was to bring every part of the facility up to modern standards and achieve the cost and sustainability advantages of refurbishment over demolition and building new. New fibre optics and water utilities have been installed. There is a new alarm system, CCTV and an electric gate that can be operated with both a traditional key tag and approved cell-phone numbers. A locked front door can be opened via intercom.
An enlarged yard means 14 car parks for each tenancy, and electric car charging stations can be accommodated if clients require this service. There is a designated 40-foot container parking spot, available for 48-hour periods for loading and unloading. New green edges are being planted around the site, with bike storage and an outdoor meeting space completing the exterior upgrade.
With its contemporary design unifying the whole site with a fresh new colour and materials palette, the refurbishment of the Archers building is an important step in bringing the new vision for Station205 to life. We look forward to welcoming the building’s two new tenants into our community.
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To find out more about warehouses and yards for lease at Station205, contact Andrew Nixon.