Britomart rebuilding nears completion

Work on Excelsior and Stanbeth Houses on Customs St is nearing completion. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Work is nearing completion on two historic buildings in Auckland's billion-dollar Britomart heritage project.

Stanbeth House, built in 1885 and at 26-28 Customs St East, and Excelsior House, built in 1896 and at 22-24 Customs St East, will be re-opened by September, says the chief of the historic building business in charge.

Matthew Cockram, chief executive of Cooper and Company, which is restoring Britomart buildings near the waterfront and developing eight new blocks, said the job on the two buildings was almost finished.

Six Britomart buildings had been restored and reopened, he said.

But tenants are yet to rush to lease space in the two historic blocks.

The developers have not leased offices in Stanbeth and Excelsior.

However, Cooper and Company said the ground floors of both blocks had been leased to food and beverage retailers.

The upper floors would be leased as boutique office space and marketed to the commercial creative sector.

Work on Stanbeth and Excelsior started in January.

Stanbeth and Excelsior would be the seventh and eight to be completed as part of the huge job to revitalise the downtown area.


First six restored:

* 1912 Chief Post Office, 12 Queen St.

* 1898 Northern Steamship, 122-124 Quay St.

* 1904 Union Fish Co, 116 Quay St.

* 1897 Levy Building, 20 Customs St East.

* 1946 Maritime Building, 130 Quay St.

* 1921 Charter House, 54 Customs St East.