Company has new digs
The company behind many of the region’s highest profile commercial construction projects has built its own new place in Aglionby St.
Armstrong Downes Commercial officially opened Aglionby House last week.
The company helped build many of Lower Hutt’s landmarks, including the Masonic Trust’s Woburn Apartment, Hutt Park Indoor Sports Centre, and Pak ‘n Save Lower Hutt.
Owners Simon Taylor and Tony Doile named their headquarters in recognition of one of Lower Hutt’s original names. Taylor said that in 1840, Wakefield records ‘‘the Village of Aglionby contains an excellent tavern, a small building used as a church and school, blacksmith’s forge, several shops, two good farm houses and numerous labourers’ cottages’’.
Now 175 years later, the newest office building is ‘‘local’’ and proud, with about 90 per cent of the materials and construction coming from Hutt companies
‘‘After more than 23 years of building great premises for other people, it is a thrill to finally have such a stylish and modern building of our own,’’ Taylor said. ‘‘Aglionby House not only demonstrates our pride in our heritage; it shows our commitment to and optimism for the future – delivering the best commercial construction projects across the region.’’
Prime Minister John Key was to have cut the ribbon but that was the day the 1080 in infant milk formula issue arose, so Education Minister Hekia Parata did the honours.
The office has strong environmental features including rainwater recovery for toilets, sensor-controlled low energy LED lighting and solar panels.
Taylor said it is appropriately industrial and includes many unique design touches, internal open plan office facilities and a large first-floor deck for entertaining staff and guests.
The building also features a one-off spray-painted mural of iconic Lower Hutt areas.