Manson lease deal for Herald 'one of Auckland's biggest'

Nearly 10,000sq m or half the available space in Manson TCLM’s new office building at 151 Victoria Street West in central Auckland has been leased ahead of its completion.

Three of the floors have been leased to media company NZME, formerly APN NZ.

The company has taken  a 12-year term over 8300sq m of space on  levels 1-3, and half the building’s 169 car parks, with a six-year right of renewal. 

Bayleys agent Paul Hain worked on the deal for Manson and says it is the biggest lease concluded in Auckland since Fonterra committed to its new premises in Fanshawe St.

NZME was attracted by the large floor plates of 3100sq m, which allows it to bring all its operations into one area.

The Herald will move into the building in November along with The Radio Network and NZME’s digital operations, including the daily deal website Grab One.

Mr Hain says about 1000sq m on the ground floor will be occupied by retail tenancies, leaving the top three floors with views of the harbour 9300sq m, for lease, plus naming rights.

The advanced construction schedule will be ready for internal fit out from June. 

The building includes a 20m high lobby atrium which bring natural light through the building, and providing a distinctive meeting place connected to an outdoor plaza.

It has been designed to a 5-Green star rating which means it will offer energy savings.

Each floor can accommodate around 300 people but there are also smaller spaces.

The building – naming rights are still for sale – is Manson TCLM’s second-biggest development after the Telecom campus over the road.

It is the largest “spec” project the company has carried out before it obtained leasing commitments.

Director Culum Manson says the design was driven by feedback from prospective tenants. 

Companies prefer staff located on fewer, larger floors because it results in a more collegial working environment, he says.

It also means less wasted space, which reduces operating expenses.

Manson TCLM has been the most active developer of new office buildings in Auckland recently.

Other recent central Auckland projects have included the Watercare Services building at 73 Remuera Rd, Newmarket, the GHD Building at 27 Napier St, alongside the Southern Motorway and Oracle House at 162 Victoria St West. 

c.hutch@clear.net.nz