Heavenly office space for lease

The former Christian Science church on Symonds St has been converted into offices.

Church’s Graeco-Roman facade and closeness to city attractive features.

A high-profile former church building that has been converted into high-quality office accommodation on the Symonds St ridgeline is available for lease, presenting an opportunity for companies looking for central city character space.

Leasing agent Phil Haydock of Bayleys' Auckland office says a new occupant has the option of leasing the entire 602sq m building at 116 Symonds St, which comprises 466sq m of ground floor space plus a mezzanine level of 136sq m, or just the ground floor. Naming rights are also on offer.

"First and foremost, this is a stunning building and offers a superb opportunity for a company wanting a real profile for its business in a heritage property," Haydock says.

"There are 13 secure basement carparks available, which is a real bonus and very unusual for a property of this size and particularly a character building like this.

"In addition, the property's location, on the corner with St Martins Lane, provides great accessibility to the Southern motorway.

The current occupant is very flexible in terms of working in with the requirements of a new tenant and is willing to either leave the fitout in place or remove it," says Haydock.

Designed by English-born architect Charles Towle and erected in the early 1930s as the Church of Christ, Scientist, the building's Graeco-Roman facade has towering columns that frame its impressive entranceway, with three ornate timber doors decorated with leadlight inserts providing access to the expansive foyer.

Haydock says arched ceilings dominate the former congregational high stud space beyond the foyer and numerous picturesque windows provide a light, airy feel and an ambience many office buildings lack.

The building housed congregational and Sunday school services for 70 years until it was sold and converted into office space in 2003. A significant refurbishment was also carried out with care taken to ensure that the building's distinctive character remained intact.

Special architectural features that have been retained include the timber joinery and flooring, ornate windows and doors and ceiling cornices.

Lighting is a mix of contemporary and ornate fittings.

The 90sq m entrance lobby now doubles as a gallery and workroom space.

The former main congregational area accommodates office space, with a meeting room and boardroom table in the centre of the polished concrete floor.

Partitioning on either side provides separate work spaces and amenity areas, while a lunchroom with modern facilities is situated at one end.

The original podium and organ room have also been glazed to form executive offices and meeting rooms.

"The pastor rooms and a 'circulation corridor', that provided access to the rear of the building for the pastors, without their having to walk through the main auditorium, also live on, providing the building with a sense of history and intrigue," says Haydock.

He says the property has an Auckland Council Heritage B rating and is in good condition for a building of its age having a recent seismic assessment of 80 per cent of the New Building Standard.

What's for lease?

Property: Former Church of Christ, Scientist, now offices.
Location: 116 Symonds St.
Agency: Bayleys Auckland.
Features:
Distinctive character office space.
High profile on Symonds St ridge.
Naming rights on offer.
Seismic rating 80 per cent of NBS.
13 secure basement carparks.