O’Connells redevelopment

Originally constructed in the 1980’s, the five-level O’Connells shopping centre was due for an upgrade. In a negotiated process with Skyline Enterprises, Naylor Love entered a three-year ECI process to consult on methodologies, material selection and budgets to ensure that the construction process proceeded with a collaborative, no surprises approach.

Work started with a precision demolition of the building back to the primary structure and strengthening of the floors, walls and columns. A major element in the strengthening works was a mass grout underpinning of the entire basement area. Over 680 individual injection points were used to inject expanding polyurethane resin to depths between one and five metres below the building to reinforce the soil, improving earthquake resilience and providing liquefaction mitigation.

With the structural works complete, we re-built the centre in a new open plan configuration, with storage and parking in the lower basement, a food court on the lower ground level, two levels of retail, and offices on the top floor.

We also completed the fit-out works for the luxury DFS T Galleria department store, several of the food court tenancies, and Skyline’s head office. This involved working closely with Skyline to accommodate design changes as tenancies were let. We were also in close communication with the contractors performing major streetscape upgrades right outside for much of the build period.

Our team prioritised sustainability throughout the project, working with our waste management contractor to provide appropriate recycling bins for each stage of construction and achieving impressive recycling rates.

With its stunning facade and high-profile position, O’Connells sets a new benchmark for quality buildings in the Queenstown CBD.