This project involved a $20 million strengthening and refurbishment of the pale green Odlins building, a former timber merchants' warehouse and a well-known structure on the Wellington waterfront. It had fallen into such a poor state that anyone entering risked falling through the dilapidated floors.

LT McGuinness worked with Willis Bond and Co and Athfield Architects on a refurbishment plan to make it the highly functional headquarters of the New Zealand Stock Exchange while preserving its unique status and character.

Special construction challenges included

• the rundown state of the existing building and the need for re-strengthening
• building an underground carpark below sea level
• a tight timeframe
• constructing seven prestigious apartments within the existing roof line
• bringing two large commercial tenants, NZX and P&O Nedlloyd, into the building by a specified date, and completing the interior fit-outs for those tenants.

These challenges were met, with open communication by the project team playing a key role in the project’s success. Both the refurbishments and fit-outs were delivered within budget and on time in May 2005.