Projects
228 Queen Street
Client
- Morton Property Group
Project Leads
Sector
Location
- Auckland – Northland
Seamlessly blending heritage, sustainability, and seismic strengthening
Located at the heart of Auckland’s CBD, 228 Queen St is a landmark revitalisation project that seamlessly blends heritage preservation with modern safety and sustainability. Originally known as HB Central (after its first occupants, the Hallenstein Brothers), the 110-year old structure has been transformed to meet today’s seismic and environmental standards while maintaining its distinctive character.
Throughout the project, RCP provided construction management, contract administration, and procurement oversight, acting as the single point of contact between stakeholders. Our team facilitated proactive communication, helping forecast supply chain risks and ensuring early tenant access agreements – particularly for Nike as the anchor tenant – were met within compliance requirements.
Achieving a 5 Green Star rating required significant upgrades, including reinforced concrete elements, structural steel diaphragm bracing, and K-braces to enhance the building’s seismic resilience. These structural elements were left exposed, celebrating the integration of old and new in a visually striking way.
One of the most innovative design achievements was the adaptation of the existing lightwell, which now provides visual and physical connectivity between tenancies. A collaboration with Novii introduced a smart, wireless lighting system that minimised installation-related carbon emissions and optimised energy efficiency.
As expected with heritage projects, construction presented challenges. Unforeseen site conditions required structural modifications, such as adapting oversized floorplates and cutting steel beams for reassembly within the existing structure. Labour shortages, COVID-19 disruptions, and severe Auckland flooding in early 2023 further tested project timelines. Despite these hurdles, strategic coordination ensured retail spaces opened six months ahead of office completion.
Sustainability was at the core of the project, with over 85% of the façade and 90% of the structure retained, significantly reducing embodied carbon emissions. More than 70% of construction waste was diverted from landfill, and 20% of materials were sustainably sourced. Advanced HVAC systems, smart meters, and a rainwater harvesting system further enhanced energy and water efficiency.
The successful transformation of 228 Queen St has preserved a piece of Auckland’s retail heritage and sets a benchmark for future adaptive reuse in the city’s evolving landscape.
