Constructing Wellington’s Most Iconic Buildings
About Us
When you are looking to develop or build commercial premises in the Wellington region, then
Armstrong Downes Commercial should be your first call.
Whether it’s an office building in the city, a community hub in the regions, a retail superstore in a busy
urban area or manufacturing premises, Armstrong Downes Commercial are here to successfully
construct buildings and help our clients achieve their goals.
Don’t just take it from us, listen to our clients. They will testify that we’re an enjoyable bunch to work
with, have an innovative approach and have the know how and experience to back it up.
We’ve grown from humble beginnings in the Hutt Valley some 25 years ago, into a thriving commercial
construction company headquartered in Lower Hutt with projects spread across the Greater Wellington
region and beyond.
The personal approach we bring to each site sees our clients and architects coming back to us, year
after year. Our unique strength is our in-house local team, combined with hand-picked external
professionals, individually selected for each project. Many of these people have worked with us since
the early days and share our passion and commitment to each project.
At Armstrong Downes we work hard, work smart and bring the same care to your project as if it were
our very own.
Local Knowledge. We know what works
Most construction companies will tell you that they deliver on time and to budget. But that’s only half
the story.
Armstrong Downes Commercial brings truly unrivalled knowledge of what works in the Wellington
region. Our business has been entrenched in the local building industry since the early 1990s. With
an enviable network, we know who to call for the unexpected and where to go for that unusual
requirement.
Our innovation teamed with this valuable local knowledge, passion and commitment, deliver time
and time again.
If you do happen to see us away from our home turf, it’s quite likely we will be helping a previous
client who has invited us to complete another project for them.
We’re always happy to help out our friends.
Can’t be done. We’ll find a way
In our 25+ years in business we’ve most certainly grown. Today, our projects range upwards from $3
million to tens of millions. Increasingly, it is our experience and local knowledge which is sealing the
deal on complex constructions, while we are widely recognised for acting with integrity, passion and a
commitment to do what we say we will.
Armstrong Downes Commercial is the choice for projects that require detailed or specialised interior
fit-outs, intricate craftsmanship or unusual materials. Perhaps you have a difficult site or are working
on a super large scale or just need to ensure business continuity; we will meet the challenge.
“On a green field site, we went from paddock to purpose built Tier III data centre facility in just six and a halfmonths. We were told by industry professionals it was an impossible task. Armstrong Downes Commercialgot to work and made it happen. A highly motivated professional outfit and a credit to the building industry.”
Ryan Cockayne, Facilities Manager, Revera Ltd
Building Communities
Redeveloped council buildings, new schools and education facilities, retail centres, animal husbandry
and veterinary facilities, health and wellness, sporting precincts, office fit-outs, large scale retail
complexes and retirement villages, Armstrong Downes Commercial does it all.
We find it especially rewarding to work alongside fellow business owners, providing them with new and
improved business premises to help their own business grow.
Our clients call us as soon as they’re considering further development, for our expertise in:
• Preliminary Constructive Advice
• Design and Build
• Early Contractor Involvement (ECI)
• Project Planning and Management
• Negotiations
• Value Engineering
• Construction Management
• Cost Planning
• Building Communities
Our clients know that we understand what it takes to run a business and that we bring as much care,
fairness and integrity to each of their developments as they do themselves. You can count on us to
keep it real and deliver quality premises for Wellington businesses and the locals using them.
It’s Business as Usual
Across the region, business is being carried out, neighbourhoods are buzzing, trading continues
unimpeded and it’s business as usual for our clients. Keeping disruption to a minimum is critical.
Whether it’s refurbishment of an existing building or a complete redevelopment of an already
operating site, at Armstrong Downes Commercial we have developed an unusual and highly valued
ability to operate discreetly with minimum disruption for customers and your team. Remaining fully
operational throughout the build process has been a requirement for many of our clients.
Whether the build programme calls for staging the construction across the sites, building outside of
business hours or continuing construction while retail shelves are being filled, our teams are highly
regarded for their ability to factor this into the time frames.
We understand how important it is for day to day business to continue and have worked with many
organisations to carry out upgrades and build new facilities, quite literally around them while they
operated.
“Armstrong Downes have recently completed a complex project with us, which had tight deliverables and a challenging scope. …impressed with their professionalism and service, making the design and construction
phases complication free. …a pleasure to work with.”
Sam Wiffen, Project Manager, Opus International Ltd
Working Your Way
Our aim at Armstrong Downes Commercial is to make your job as easy as possible and at the same
time, give you plenty of excellent reasons to use us again and again, while recommending us to your
colleagues and peers. Many of our clients are engaging us early on, using our expertise alongside
the design team in an ECI process or handing over the reins for a full design and build solution. Both
options provide a design that will be buildable, practical, efficient, architecturally compelling as well
as taking into consideration the whole of life costs. Our experience and knowledge of local sites,
materials and build feasibility adds considerable value at these early stages.
Whether your preference is negotiated contract or tender, we will always provide you with
comprehensive and accurate documentation that is clear, concise and easy to read. We offer
solutions that recognise the requirement of each project and offer a fair and true programme. We
are in the business of promising you only what we know is practical and achievable.
Our aim is to avoid unpleasant surprises and to ensure we deliver to you a quality project and an
enjoyable build experience that has you coming back to us, time and time again.
“…the level of professionalism and dedication that you brought to the project certainly made my life a lot easier”
Martyn Lockyer, Managing Director, Petone Mitre 10 Mega
While the quality of our work speaks for itself, many of our buildings continue to perform like the day
they opened. Whether that be last year or a quarter of a century ago. Our pragmatic and
comprehensive quality management system combined with innovative project planning, identifies the
most efficient critical path that drives each project.
The hands-on approach of our directors and commitment to quality assurance best practice, ensures
we deliver a successful project that always exceeds expectations.
Our commitment to excellence is regularly recognised at both regional and national levels with
numerous awards and quality marks.
2016 NZ Commercial Project Awards - Gold Medal - Commercial & Civic
Aglionby House, Lower Hutt, Wellington
2017 NZ Commercial Project Awards - Bronze Medal - Heritage & Restoration Category
Book House Apartments
2018 NZIA Wellington Architecture Award - Commercial Architecture
ARISE Church
2018 NZ Commercial Project Awards - Silver Medal - Civic Category
ARISE Church
“…we congratulate Armstrong Downes Commercial on your success. This is testimony to the great job that you did and the commitment of your team to complete this demanding project to an incredibly high standard. In particular I applaud your ‘solution based focus’ approach during construction that adds real and tangible
value to ensuring a successful outcome.”
Neil Kemp, Design Group Stapleton and Elliott
Recognition & Accolades
We’re Proud to be Safe
At ADC we take the Health & Safety and well-being of our employees, subcontractors, clients and
site visitors seriously. We have a comprehensive Health & Safety Plan, including relevant policies
and procedures. We provide Site Specific Safety Management Plans and undertake regular site
audits. Our people are suitably qualified holding Health & Safety specific NZQA credits and many
have graduated with the Site Safe construction in Safety certificate.
Our dedicated Health & Safety Manager ensures we remain compliant with both legislation and
industry requirements and seeks to be innovative with continually evolving systems and processes.
We are proud to claim that we make safety a priority at every level across all our projects and we
require active participation by everyone working on them to adequately plan the work we are
carrying out and to act safely at all times.
We are compliant with:
• Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
• Health and Safety at Work Regulations 2016
• Our industry’s Codes of Practice and Guidelines
• Prequal 4 Star Rating
As part of our ongoing commitment to the local community, the environment and our industry, we
are also members of:
• National Vertical Industry Leaders Group
• National Vertical Industry Health & Safety Practitioners Group
• Capital Safety Initiative
• Registered Master Builders Federation
• Wellington Safety Liaison Group
• The Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce
Recent Projects. At a Glance
Woburn Masonic Village Apartments stages 1 & 2:
A high quality retirement community in central Lower
Hutt comprising 88 one, two and three bedroom
apartments, library, gym, spa/sauna, cafe and full
commercial kitchen. The $31 million project included
full interior designer fit-out and hard landscaping. This
project is believed to be the largest commercial
development seen in Central Hutt since Armstrong
Downes finished the Harvey Norman Centre in 2007.
Wellington City New World: As one of the busiest
supermarkets in the Capital with 45,000 visitors/week,
business continued for the duration of the $6.7 million
project. Scope included excavating within the building,
extending the footprint, adding two mezzanine floors
and access stairs, customer restrooms, new bakery,
deli, florist, butchery and communications, money,
data and security rooms. Installation of new fittings
and fixtures, including new running gear in the plant
room, new refrigeration and flooring throughout with a
full repaint.
Aglionby House, Lower Hutt: This two level $1.2
million building was designed to be Armstrong Downes
Commercial headquarters by Designgroup Stapleton
Elliott. A wide range of materials from exposed
structural steel, decorative precast panels to reverse
run metal cladding complement wide use of glass and
timbers. 90% of materials used were from local
suppliers. 2016 Gold Medal Winner, NZ Commercial
Project Awards - Commercial & Civic Category, and an
Architecture Award in 2016 New Zealand Institute of
Architecture Awards (Wellington).
Arise Church: This project showcases large spaces
(floor plate 2200sqm + 1200sqm mezzanine). The
ground floor auditorium enjoys a seating capacity of
1,214 people. The project was funded through
donations and as such emphasis was placed on
ensuring all materials used were efficient and cost
effective. The stand out feature of the project is the
glazed curtain wall covering two sides of the building
creating an impressive facade, making it highly visible
to all passing traffic. Silver Medal Winner, NZ
Commercial Project Awards Civic Category, 2018 NZIA
Wellington Architecture Award.
We are proud to share details of some of our recently
completed projects.
Owner Operated. Keeping it Real
Our owners/directors are part of our day to day giving you confidence, just knowing they’re on the job.
This personal attention gives you reassurance knowing that decisions will be made quickly and that your
needs are understood.
Our role is to successfully construct buildings and help our clients achieve their goals. With this in mind,
we pride ourselves on getting the job done. We always act with integrity every step of the way, doing
what we say we will, and remaining grounded in our approach by remembering where we’ve come from.
Innovators within the construction sector, Armstrong Downes Commercial has heavily invested in
technology. Utilising Procore Construction Project Management Software, Armstrong Downes
Commercial provides seamless solutions for our clients connecting your team with ours, using one
centralised hub helping all parties stay informed during the lifecycle of your project.
At Armstrong Downes Commercial, we always strive to be a better version of ourselves by challenging
the way we do things, reducing waste both in terms of materials but also time, and taking comfort in an
ethos to do things right the first time.
Without the bureaucracy, red tape and hierarchy of other construction companies, when you partner with
Armstrong Downes Commercial, you know your project will get the utmost attention and care it deserves.
We embrace our corporate vision: Better teams, Better buildings, Better Experiences, Always.
Meet the Directors
Tony Doile, Managing Director
Tony’s ability to build long term relationships, his programme expertise and
innate ability to think laterally, is behind many of the innovative solutions that
his team brings to the project sites. Tony enjoys playing an integral part in the
lower North Island’s development and derives a sense of reward from knowing
that Armstrong Downes Commercial is creating employment opportunities for
New Zealanders and constructing buildings, often landmarks, that positively
impact lives and that will remain for many years to come.
Simon Taylor, Managing Director
As General Manager of Armstrong Downes Commercial, Simon has been part
of the company since 1997. Fascinated by construction from an early age,
Simon is a qualified Quantity Surveyor who derives professional satisfaction
from leading an innovative, solution driven team. While he is humbled by the
awards and accolades the company has received, he is truly proud of
Armstrong Downes’ contribution to the growth of the Wellington region and
the relationships that have formed with clients and the teams they work with,
along the way.
Local and Proud
Let’s Meet
Right from the beginning, Armstrong Downes Commercial has employed an in-house team of
construction professionals and expert tradespeople in core areas. This team is supplemented with
handpicked, local subcontractors and suppliers as required.
We bring each of our projects the very best the region has to offer in terms of designers, programme
managers, construction professionals, suppliers, subcontractors, tradespeople, plant and equipment.
Our construction teams are well known and unmatched. Many have been working with us for more
than 25 years and bring their strong relationship to each site. Their skills and relationships equate to
fuss free projects and an enjoyable and rewarding experience for all.
Armstrong Downes Commercial is renowned within the local building community for our reliable
payment structure and this ensures an enduring and reliable workforce, enabling competitive pricing
and delivery.
If you would like to know more about working with Armstrong Downes Commercial for your next
project, come in and meet the team at our award-winning offices. Tony and Simon are always around
for a chat and a freshly brewed coffee.
In the meantime visit www.armstrongdownes.co.nz to view our extensive project image gallery and
our live image feeds from current sites in real time.
Armstrong Downes Commercial 2012 Ltd
PO Box 38220, Wellington Mail Centre 5045
Tel: + 64 (0) 4 566 8566 Fax: + 64 (0) 566 8567
Email: [email protected]
Armstrong Downes Commercial 2012 Ltd,
PO Box 38220, Wellington Mail Centre 5045
Phone (04) 566 8566 Fax (04) 566 8567