| 29 T T Karen Phelps Sustainability at the core Argosy is committed to sustainable property development. Argosy Property DEVELOPMENT Argosy Property’s two latest developments showcase its drive to target 50 per cent green assets by 2030. “Our whole push from the top down in the company with our developments is sustainability,” explains Simon Brake, Argosy’s development manager. “We are a long-term investor so building sustainably makes sense. It increases building longevity and reduces operational costs of the assets over time, creating a dual benefit for Argosy and tenants.” “Multi-national occupiers in particular often have their own sustainability mandate high on their agenda,” adds Argosy head of development Marilyn Storey. “They look for price, location and sustainability when looking for buildings.” The two major developments currently under construction are a $100 million complex at 224 Neilson Street in Onehunga, Auckland and a development at 8-14 Mt Richmond Drive, also in Auckland, both targeting 6 Green Star Design and As-Built ratings. Simon says the Neilson Street facility represents the largest sustainable industrial build to date for Argosy. It includes approximately 1,888 solar panels that will generate over 944kW. The development comprises two high clearspan warehouses with knee heights of up to 13 metres, totalling 16,500 square metres of warehousing space plus 3,400 square metres of breezeway. Rainwater harvesting systems at the Neilson Street development will store 980,000 litres annually - enough to supply an average Aucklander’s daily water needs for over 18 years. The buildings incorporate low-carbon concrete, intelligent LED lighting systems consuming less than 2.5 watts per square metre, and advanced air conditioning systems that deliver twice the Building Code’s required fresh air circulation. The Mt Richmond Drive development follows similar principles, with Stage One already pre-let to a global pharmaceuticals distributor. The remaining buildings, ranging from 3,200 to 4,200 square metres, will be completed by mid-2026 subject to pre-commitment. Both developments are designed to accommodate the electrification of transport with infrastructure for large electric vehicle truck charging powered by on-site solar generation. Simon says this addresses the growing need for sustainable logistics as the transport and warehousing sector accounts for 6 per cent of New Zealand’s total industrial emissions. “Because of the strategic locations of both developments, they will attract prime industrial occupiers. There has been a lot of multi-national enquiry from sophisticated occupiers that desire sustainable spaces,” says Marilyn. “With decarbonisation driving industry towards more sustainable business practices, a prime location must be paired with a demonstrably sustainable building to attract large-scale logistics operators,” adds Simon. Argosy owns one-third of all redeveloped 5 Green Star Built rated office buildings in New Zealand and has a proven track record dating back to 2014, when it commenced its first sustainability initiatives. The company’s 54-property portfolio demonstrates its commitment to sustainable development through various award-winning projects, including New Zealand’s first Carbon Zero Base Building Operations rating at 82 Wyndham Street, Auckland. Overcoming the challenges Auckland-based structural engineering consultancy Stephen Mitchell Engineers Ltd (SME) is proud to have played an important role in the development of two signi icant commercial and warehouse complexes that are setting new standards in New Zealand's industrial property sector. SME has partnered with property investment company Argosy to deliver the Mt. Richmond and Neilson Street projects in Auckland. "It is very unusual for a structural engineering practice to have the privilege of designing all of the warehouse and o ice buildings in a single complex, let alone two of the size and calibre of the Mt. Richmond and Neilson Street projects," says Steve Mitchell, founder of SME. "The Argosy development ethos of quality and innovation is a good it with the design principles employed by SME." Established in 1993, SME has built an impressive portfolio exceeding 2,500 commissions across New Zealand. While it specialises in large-scale developments including high-rise apartments and commercial buildings, it is the company's decades-long collaboration with Argosy that is a good example of the long-term relationships it builds with clients. This partnership approach has proven particularly valuable when addressing the fundamental prerequisites speci ied by Argosy, which demanded intensive structural engineering design and detailing work. Steve says the Mt. Richmond development presented particular challenges for the engineering team. "The variable geotechnical conditions and complex surface contours of the Mt. Richmond site made the selection and veri ication of structural design options critical during the concept and preliminary design phases," explains Steve. "Through extensive collaboration between the client and consultants, along with the bene it of early contractor involvement, sound structural engineering solutions to relatively complex design and construction problems were able to be resolved and implemented." Both projects required sophisticated structural solutions to address the demands of very large warehouses with long span, high knee portal frames, signi icant canopies and precast concrete wall panels for serviceability and ire rating purposes. Steve says that what sets these developments apart from typical industrial projects is the quality of the o ice and amenities components. "The o ices re lect the client's brief to achieve the equivalent to high-end standalone commercial developments," says Steve. "The high aesthetic and serviceability demands stipulated by Argosy required an altogether enhanced level of structural engineering design and detailing to accommodate the architectural and service engineering features." He says this represents a signi icant departure from industry norms where o ice facilities are often treated as secondary considerations in warehouse developments. Instead SME worked to ensure these spaces matched the quality expectations of premium commercial buildings. "The resulting developments are something that SME is very proud to have been given the opportunity to participate in." As specialists in structural engineering for a wide spectrum of building projects, including high rise residential and commercial buildings, warehouses, hotels and homes across a nationwide portfolio, we’re delighted to support Argosy in their Mt Richmond and Neilson St developments. www.stephenmitchellengineers.com
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