Cool place to work and be seen

The refurbished building has a colourful past as a Parnell night spot. Photo / Supplied

A funky new office space is ready for occupation within a warehouse-office conversion at 7 Windsor St in the heart of Parnell.

"The refurbished Parnell building is one of the most cutting-edge office suites around," says Lorne Somerville of CB Richard Ellis, who is steering the leasing of available space with colleague Jack Brabant, and Bayleys agent Jillaine Murray.

Somerville says the space is "stunning" and characterised by wooden and concrete floors with steel and wooden beams throughout and sand-blasted exposed brick.

Construction for the major refurbishment began earlier this year when the building had already had some leasing commitment.

A large international retail brand, Oakley, has taken up residence on the top level of the building.

"This building is really special, offering top-end, creative office space in a location where tenants demand more than your typical corporate environment," Somerville says. "Tenants want quality and they want a space that is going to be enjoyable to work in ..."

Somerville says the leasing market in Parnell is bucking a national trend of a shortage of quality space.

"When something desirable comes along it is quickly snapped up and we foresee the same thing happening here.

"Our target market is youthful companies - Gen-Y type groups such as those in the advertising media/publishing, recruitment or IT industries - who are seeking out trendy office space in locations which offer good amenity, lifestyle and access. This property is a 'turn key' office space, with existing fit-out in place, ready for immediate occupation."

The building has been rewired for IT and associated companies. The interior has been designed with up-lights and has good natural light.

Somerville says asking rents for 7 Windsor St are in the order of $295 per sq m net and the outgoings are low at $50 per sq m.

"Overall, the combined cost of occupancy is well pitched for an environment that has definite wow factor," he says.

"And there are five different spaces available from just 66sq m to over 700sq m if required.

"This is a building that represents the opportunity for a tenant seeking creative, competitively priced office space on the city fringe."

Somerville says that many people would remember the property as the old Casablanca Nightclub.

"While the disco ball may have gone, the wooden dance floor remains and has been restored to give a feeling of warmth within the office spaces.

"Stepping outside the building in Parnell, tenants and their employees have a wide choice of cafes and bars available.

In addition, Windsor St is less than 1km from all motorway access points and just minutes from the CBD and all major forms of public transport. Downtown Auckland is only 10 minutes away on the Link Bus which runs through Parnell every 10 minutes from Monday to Saturday. "It's a very vibrant area that will provide an excellent backdrop for go-ahead tenants."

Somerville says there is 24-hour secure car parking available for lease with the various tenancies and public parking in the surrounding area.