2026
Administrator House
Completed
Auckland CBD | Heritage Restoration
Administrator House sits on O'Connell Street in central Auckland — a two-storey heritage-listed landmark woven into the city's historic commercial fabric, and the winner of the 2023 NZIA Auckland Architecture Heritage Award. Originally built in 1925 for Alliance Assurance, this heritage building was carefully modernised to accommodate a new gallery and commercial offices while fully respecting its significant architectural character — a process that required the same precision, material knowledge, and sensitivity to history that we bring to heritage residential renovations throughout Auckland.
A comprehensive heritage restoration
The project involved a comprehensive refurbishment of both levels: a renewed entrance, gallery, and bathrooms at ground level, and offices, meeting spaces, a kitchenette, and amenities above. With the building’s concrete structure and interior walls protected under the heritage listing, integrating modern services required a highly considered approach. Lighting and wiring were discreetly concealed within routed skirtings and dado rails, with additional cabling hidden beneath raised floors — invisible to the eye, fully compliant with heritage requirements.
Historic materials, carefully restored
Undertaken alongside a full seismic upgrade, the building was transformed from a state of disrepair into a refined and adaptable inner-city venue. Historic materials — Oamaru limestone, Nelson marble, and ornate plaster ceilings — were restored with care, while new insertions were chosen to complement rather than compete with the original architecture. A patterned Winckelmans tile floor animates the entry, and heritage-inspired finishes carry through to the bathrooms. Upstairs, refreshed offices, a new acoustically treated meeting room, and a revitalised staircase complete the renewal.
A heritage jewel, recognised by the NZIA
Today, Administrator House stands as a jewel in the O’Connell Street streetscape — a much-loved setting for work, exhibitions, and events, and a demonstration of what is possible when heritage architecture is treated with the intelligence and care it deserves. This project was recognised with the 2023 NZIA Auckland Architecture Heritage Award.
A distinctive classical facade of Oamaru limestone and Nelson marble frame the entrance.
Winner of the 2023 NZIA Auckland Architecture Heritage Award
Transformed from a state of disrepair into a refined inner-city venue, with every historic material carefully restored
Lighting and wiring discreetly concealed within routed skirtings and dado rails — invisible to the eye, fully compliant with heritage requirement
Own a heritage villa or character home in Auckland?
The precision and material sensitivity we applied to Administrator House is the same approach we bring to every heritage residential renovation — from the character villas of Herne Bay and Ponsonby to the heritage bungalows of Remuera and Grey Lynn. If you have a home with history worth protecting, we would love to talk about what is possible. Get in touch to start the conversation, or browse more of our work for inspiration.
Critical Acclaim
2023 NZIA Auckland Architecture – Heritage Award
