82 | BUILDING JD Construction Co: Metropolis Apartments 33 Progress Drive, Otorohanga 07 873 8083 Info@customtone.co.nz KITCHENS • LAUNDRIES • WARDROBES • OFFICE BATHROOM • INTERIOR JOINERY T T Richard Loader Apartment revamp raises the bar Finishes are unashamedly high-end: parquet flooring, porcelain tile benchtops, aged brass features, steel door joinery, flushed skirtings and recessed blind and curtain tracks throughout. “This project really demonstrates our transparency with the client and how we work collaboratively with the architect. We ensured we had as much information as we could from the outset in order to make sure things ran smoothly.” When a luxury apartment on the 34th floor of one of Auckland’s most prestigious residential towers needed a complete overhaul, the logistics alone would have given most builders pause. For JD Construction Co it is precisely the kind of challenge the company was built for. The Auckland-based firm is nearing completion of the high-end fitout of a 200sqm apartment in the Metropolis tower in the city centre, working alongside Studio2 Architects. The apartment was demolished last year and construction began in mid-March with completion expected in mid-August. “Coordinating material deliveries via the service lift, restrictions on the size of that lift and noise restrictions in the building all meant this project required a lot of planning from the outset,” says founder of JD Construction Co Jono Duxfield. What was once a configuration with a separate, enclosed kitchen has been transformed into an open-plan living, kitchen and dining space. The apartment now features three bedrooms, a master ensuite with walk-in wardrobe, a separate bathroom and a powder room. Finishes are unashamedly high-end: parquet flooring, porcelain tile benchtops, aged brass features, steel door joinery, flushed skirtings and recessed blind and curtain tracks throughout. Behind the walls, ceiling and floor the work has been equally involved. “We had to alter some of the risers (the areas that run the full height of the building and carry services) to suit the new layout,” explains Jono. “Plumbing was also upgraded to today’s tandards, and we had to ensure that everything was fire-proofed between floors for all penetrations.” The project came to JD Construction Co through a referral from a client that the company had previously completed a fitout for in the Shangri-La tower in Herne Bay. For Jono, it is a testament to the way the firm operates. “This project really demonstrates our transparency with the client and how we work collaboratively with the architect,” he says. “This gives clarity and understanding for the duration of the project as well as showcasing our project management and programming skills,” he says. “We ensured we had as much information as we could from the outset in order to make sure things ran smoothly.” JD Construction Co is simultaneously working on a high-end residential build in Bayswater on the North Shore, converting a woolshed into a three-bedroom guest home on Waiheke Island and delivering a new daycare centre in St Heliers. Founded in 2019 by Jono Duxfield, JD Construction Co was established to serve clients seeking a high-calibre building partner for luxury construction projects. Jono brought with him eight years of training in Te Puke followed by six years’ building high-end residences in central London. He has built a company now employing around 20 people with offices in Albany serving the wider Auckland region. Jono says the firm’s point of difference lies in its end-to-end ownership of every project. “We manage everything from beginning to end to ensure quality is 100 per cent. It comes down to problem solving, strong relationships with subcontractors, working collaboratively with architects and being transparent throughout,” he says. JD Construction Co is a member of New Zealand Certified Builders and offers residential new build clients a Halo 10-Year Guarantee. It is also a member of HazardCo and Site Safe. Jono says the company’s focus remains firm. “We strive for excellence in everything we do. That’s not just a phrase; it’s the foundation the whole business is built on.”
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