Overview
Ebbett’s Hamilton dealership was the culmination of a long-term vision to create a one-stop automotive destination, bringing together sales, servicing, parts, paint and panel, and tyre services on a 25,000m² site.
Delivered from planning through to completion, the three-year project combined premium customer-facing retail spaces with highly functional workshop and service facilities.
About the project
The two showrooms were designed to provide an exceptional customer experience, featuring expansive open-plan interiors, high ceilings and full-height glazed façades that maximise natural light. External louvres enhance the architectural character while reducing solar gain, and high-quality finishes, including laminated timber columns and beams, ceramic floor tiles and polished concrete floors, create a refined environment consistent with the brands represented.
Behind the retail spaces, modern workshops, paint and panel facilities and service areas incorporate the latest technology to support efficient vehicle maintenance and repair operations.
Corporate offices and staff amenities complete the development.
Delivered within programme and budget, this complex retail developments successfully balanced brand presentation, customer experience and operational performance.
2021
7,700m2
$20.5M
Client testimonial
Ebbett Group Director Walter van den Engel explained that the business wanted a building partner who could manage a complex project, ensuring different functional spaces would work together as a customer-focused facility.
“Foster’s values and credentials were the right fit” said Walter. “We were confident in their ability to deal with a major build – where things change and don’t always go to plan.”
Walter spoke from prior experience; Fosters having worked on both Ebbett Toyota and the refurbishment of the Ebbett city site in 2002.
Stage 1 saw the construction of the VW dealership and workshop. Unexpectedly, in February 2020, Holden pulled out of New Zealand and the project had to pivot to accommodate other brands. Then, in March, the country went into Covid-19 lockdown.
“This was the real test” continued Walter. “Our development was well underway when all this happened.
“We asked a lot from Fosters and this was where they shone. It was never a case of ‘we can’t do that’, rather it was ‘let’s see how we can make this happen’.
“The project became a moving target – what was the dealership to look like and how would it function with VW, GMSV, Seat, Cupra and Isuzu? Plus, we still needed to accommodate Holden used cars, parts and service.
“Thanks to the trusted relationship we enjoy with both Foster and our architects Chow:Hill, and their interpretation of our needs, the result is fantastic. We’re very happy with our new home.”
“We were confident in their (Fosters) ability to deal with a major build – where things change and don’t always go to plan.”
Walter van den Engel, Ebbett Group Director