Chevron Suites

Project Type: Existing Building Renewal – Apartments
Client: Private Developer
Location: Wakefield Street, Wellington
Status: Completed

Chevron Suites is the conversion of the existing Polo House commercial building into residential/hotel apartments. Ideally located adjacent Waitangi Park in the heart of Wellington city, this iconic 8 storey Art Deco building had become tired and lost its appeal as a commercial building. It was also in need of seismic strengthening to attract future tenants.

Through a conversion and strengthening exercise, this grand old lady got a new lease of life as 24 new apartments. Most of these are multi-keyed to create a total of 50 rentable dwellings – this variety of apartment configurations created flexibility and value uplift.

A strategic collaboration with our Structural Engineer lead to a viable seismic strengthening solution. The shift from an open plan office space to a modulated residential use facilitated a central shear wall and a more concentrated strengthening outcome than was previously considered to maintain the clear floor plates.