Mantells venue opening follows lease deal
Auckland wedding and event venue Mantells is opening a function centre in the historic Navy League building on Ta¯maki Dr, following a lease deal negotiated by Ray White Commercial.
Mantells has taken a long term lease on the first floor of the landmark 1134sq m building at 19-21 Ta¯maki Dr, formerly home to Hammerheads restaurant and, more recently, True Food & Yoga.
Ray White Commercial director, Finn Hurst, says the building is ideally suited to the leading function venue provider.
“Mantells was keen to expand its venue portfolio, providing an additional option to complement two venues — in Mt Eden and Westhaven respectively. The Navy League building is a great fit for their requirements,” he says.
“This building is one of Auckland’s waterfront icons and is easily recognised by the many locals and visitors who often pass by along Ta¯maki Drive. The upper level offers a beautiful character space with stunning harbour views, and picturesque sunsets — it’s an ideal spot for events.”
The building is already well known as a restaurant and events venue, having been a destination for waterfront dining in Auckland for nearly 30 years, Hurst says.
The Ta¯maki Dr venue is Mantells’ third in Auckland. The character space Mantells has leased lends itself perfectly to wedding, function and event use, says Hurst.
“The large, open-plan space is flooded with natural light from the building’s original arched windows. These windows make a strong architectural statement, along with the extensive natural oak flooring and exposed ceiling beams and rafters.”
The space can also be divided into a formal dining room and a separate casual dining & bar area which opens on to the terrace, enabling two functions to be held concurrently — which was a big attraction for Mantells, he says.
Both the indoor space and the outdoor terrace, which faces north and west, offer views across Okahu Bay to Auckland City and Devonport.
The space has been leased to Mantells following a complex negotiation process involving several parties including Panuku, the Navy League, liquidators for the former occupiers and lawyers acting for all parties. Separate negotiation processes were required around several aspects including rent, head lessor’s consent and chattels, Hurst says.
“The negotiation process was fairly complicated but we’re thrilled with the end result, which will see Mantells up and running in time to host functions this side of Christmas.
“We are also very pleased to have completed the negotiations in a relatively short time frame, which is a great result for all involved.”
The building was originally in civic use, having been constructed in 1935 by the Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board as a pumping station, part of the O¯ ra¯kei waste water scheme. It was later transferred to Auckland Harbour Board ownership.
Following the closure of the Ora¯ ¯ kei scheme the Harbour Board sold the building to the Navy League’s Auckland branch in 1963, to be used for the sea cadet movement.
The Navy League added a mezzanine floor to the building in 1965 and sublet the area for restaurant use, with the rent used to fund Auckland sea cadet activities.
The aquariums that form part of the much-loved Kelly Tarlton’s attraction next to the Navy League site were constructed in the disused waste water holding ponds of the O¯ra¯kei waste water scheme.
“We understand that Kelly Tarlton’s was at one point considering extending the aquarium through the former waste water tunnels which link to the Navy League building.”
Hurst says the Navy League still occupies the lower level of the building and holds the ground lease to the site, with the freehold interest owned by Auckland Council.