Waikato Business News June/July 2020

The Union Square focus is on design and the occupier experience.
Union Square build sets tone for central city
A breaking-ground ceremony at Union Square has helped kick
the Hamilton construction sector back into action post Covid-19.
High-profile tenants
Rabobank and AA
Insurance are signed up
and earthworks are underway
on the prime commercial site
in central Hamilton.
Led by Foster on behalf
of AFI Investments Ltd, the
staged development is likely
to contribute hundreds of millions
of dollars into the local
economy over the next five
years.
The first building, Ebbett
Tower, is on the corner of
Anglesea and Hood Sts, and
the developers hope to start on
further buildings in the complex,
designed by Chow:Hill
Architects, early next year.
“Ebbetts will move out to
Te Rapa around February, and
then we will clear the site, and
our aspiration is to start on the
next building at the rear along
with the 350 space carpark
early next year, depending
on leasing,” Foster Develop
director Rhys Harvey says.
“The target market is major
occupiers in Hamilton but
also, as importantly, who we
can bring in from out of Ham-
ilton. They would be the corporates
in Auckland who have
clients here, and also Wellington
including government
agencies.
“With Union Square,
we’ve focused on design and
the occupier experience that
will position Hamilton as a
destination where you can
grow your business. These
ensure our tenants can attract
and retain the best talent.”
The development will
include a purpose-built wellness
centre and end of trip
facilities such as bike parks
and showers. It will feature
adaptable working spaces,
meeting rooms and breakout
areas for collaboration, and
the retail spaces will provide
amenity for both tenants and
the wider community.
Harvey says early interest
is strong as Union Square marketing
gets underway in earnest,
after Rabobank and AA
Insurance signed up earlier.
Rabobank and AA Insurance
will occupy all five floors
of Ebbett Tower, bringing
about 300 staff to the site when
With Union Square, we’ve focused on
design and the occupier experience that
will position Hamilton as a destination
where you can grow your business.”
it opens. Rabobank, which is
moving from Wellington, will
take the top two floors, with
an option on level three, while
AA Insurance will take the
bottom two levels, including
the ground floor. Also on the
ground floor will be the main
lobby, a cafe and access to
Union Square’s central plaza.
Rabobank will have signage
rights, and the initial
term for each lease is nine
years.
Rabobank chief executive
Todd Charteris, says it is
exciting to see construction
start.
“Moving to Union Square
in Hamilton amidst one of the
largest and growing food and
agribusiness regions sets us up
for a future of growth alongside
our clients,” he says.
“We’re planning to make our
new home a real agri ‘centre
of excellence’ – a great place
to work for our Rabobank
team and a welcoming space
for our farming clients too.”
AA Insurance project sponsor
for Union Square, Justine
Burn, says their 112 Hamilton
staff are looking forward
to moving in next year.
“We’re certain Union Square
will give the south end of the
city a major boost, and we’re
delighted to be part of it.”
When choosing a new lease
for their training centre and
customer service call centre,
she says they were impressed
that Union Square includes
green-building principles,
which is reflective of AA
Insurance’s Auckland head
office. “We understand how
important a well-designed
work space can be for our people’s
health and well-being.”
Ebbett Tower, with a floor
plate of 900sq m and total
space of 4,600sq m, is due for
completion in August 2021. It
features large efficient floor
plates, modern façade and curtain
walling to provide maximum
natural light, and is built
to green-star building principles,
Harvey says.
Until then, both tenants
will be accommodated in
another Foster build. Construction
is well underway at
183 Collingwood Street and
will be finished in September.
The building will feature a
total 1200 sq m of office space
with about 25 onsite carparks.
Further north in the central
city, Harvey says another Foster
development, 586 Victoria
Street, has been leasing up
well since the build finished in
August 2019. After starting at
Rabobank chief executive Todd Charteris at the first dig.
20 percent occupied, they are
now 72 percent occupied and
have just signed another two
leases that will bring them to
85 percent.
Ebbett Tower, meanwhile,
is set on one of the “most prolific”
sites in Hamilton’s CBD,
Harvey says.
As for Union Square: “With
30,000sqm of office space and
18 retail outlets supported by a
350 space onsite carpark, the
square will be a hive of activity
during the day and into the
evening.”
chowhill.co.nz
Architecture // Urban Design // Interiors // Landscape Design