You’ve got to hand it to the Smale family when it comes to their Smales Farm development in Takapuna. They don’t stand still. There always seems to be something new happening or on the go. And they’re at it again with the announcement in late July of their plans to evolve the site into what they call “a thriving and diverse urban community”, creating a home for future business in New Zealand.

This was the launch of what Smales Farm Director Greg Smale calls their 20 year vision. It is a vision that has been put together over a three year period by Greg, with the assistance of his daughter Claire and son David, who share backgrounds in the property business in New Zealand and overseas. It has then been rubber stamped by the independent Smales Farm board to be the plan that guides Smales Farm through the next two decades.

Firstly, I have to come clean. Buildings themselves don’t really excite me. But what Smales have got planned for the future has really caught my interest. You see I share their passion for Takapuna, the North Shore and our ‘hood' in general. I had heard a little bit about this vision that was on the horizon and now I’ve seen it, I’m hooked.
What they've announced is clearly ambitious, as all of their developments have been to date. But this takes things to another level. It’s a total investment of around $1 billion – certainly a shot in the arm for the Shore.

When Smale’s first developed the ‘farm’ site two decades ago it was well ahead of its time and the family have continued to use innovation as a key ingredient in what they have done ever since. This is happening again with the vision that has been announced. Add to this Vodafone’s recently announced plans to revamp their existing Smales Farm building to create a workplace of the future – a fully enabled smart building for its entire Auckland-based team – and there's further reason to be excited.

“This vision incorporates the latest global thinking around workplace and urban design and will create a world-class space that sets Smales Farm apart,” says Greg Smale. The emphasis will be on the principals of walkability and place-making – where spaces are designed to put people first, not cars or buildings."

He explains that the focus is on creating an environment that is a community meeting place and a destination for events. The aim is to attract people and businesses from around the greater Auckland region. Hand in hand with this will be flexible and affordable premium offices, green spaces and bustling hospitality zones to create a unique destination for working, wellbeing and community events. And going by the concept visuals this is going to be a very neat place to work and play.

As those who regularly drive past Smales Farm will know, work has actually already started on the next stage. This is the Business Hive, or ‘B:HIVE’ as it has been branded. A new 11,000 square metre, five level, futuristic office building that will bring a totally new offering to the New Zealand market. In fact Greg Smale calls it “the most innovative and future focussed building in New Zealand”. Their promotional message is that this is a place where you can “work collaboratively and break all the rules”. A great way to kick off their 20-year vision. B:HIVE represents part of a $100 million investment for Smales.

“B:HIVE really is a game-changer in terms of the facilities and flexible working options it offers businesses. It will bring together a community of smart businesses under one roof, creating an ecosystem that fosters innovation and growth,” adds Greg Smale.

At this point I challenge you to go and have a look at their promotional video that articulates brilliantly the Smale's concept around this B:HIVE building – the link is at the end of this feature. This really is something very special that is being developed by clever people.

On the video clip you will discover the five guiding rules that have been used to create a working environment like we have never seen before. This is a building that ticks all the boxes.

The environment will be one that people will love to work in. Flexibility for businesses that are growing or whose needs are changing is totally addressed. All of the OPEX and building set up costs are totally covered in the overall license cost – every floor even has its own concierge services. All of the traditional costs are shared and taken care of. And what’s on the ground floor will be one of the biggest selling points – a host of state-of-the-art meeting and event facilities for up to 250 attendees and to top it all off a leafy laneway of boutique eateries.

“What we are offering in terms of the overall package is totally unique,” says Greg Smale. “We have recognised that the world has changed and modern businesses need to be flexible. Many are doing business on the world stage now so their needs can change virtually overnight. What we are offering these types of businesses is total flexibility. If their numbers double or half quickly due to new business or loss of business then they will have the total flexibility to increase or decrease their space accordingly.”

Making the Smale concept a reality in the new B:HIVE building are flexible partitioning systems resulting in working environments easily evolving for these changing businesses. Future proofing the new B:HIVE building has also been a focus. Technology will be integrated into every aspect of this new B:HIVE building meaning that business will not be constrained by access to technology or the work space.

Greg Smale says the landlord-tenant relationship will be quite different at B:HIVE as well. “It’s much more a partnership than the traditional lease arrangement. Pricing will be based on per person, rather than space, and virtually all of the traditional building-related expenses will be built into this cost. Everything is portable and we will own all the fixtures and furniture and all ongoing maintenance will be covered.”

A strong consideration in the design of the B:HIVE building by leading architects BVN and Jasmax has been wellbeing. This is explained as the natural environment being seamlessly integrated within the modern work space, and the concept of bringing the outdoors inside has been incorporated throughout the design process. Natural light is being maximised and the latest mix mode air-conditioning will circulate fresh air throughout the building.

The new hospitality area within the B:HIVE will be a leafy laneway of boutique eateries and casual meeting spaces aimed at drawing business and the wider community together. Again, the visuals released by Smales Farm to illustrate this area look sensational. This new hospitality area has been conceptualised by Cheshire Architects and designed by Izzard Design.

Greg Smale says that they have worked closely with ATEED, Massey University and Auckland Council to ensure this long-term vision supports Auckland’s wider economic development strategy and the ‘Grow North’ initiative.

“These plans recognise the need for Auckland to find new ways of working outside the city centre to deliver enhanced benefits for employees and ease congestion issues.”

Yes this announcement from Smales Farm is certainly great for the Shore as it will undoubtedly drag people over the bridge for work. While it hasn’t been announced the whisper I have heard is that quality residential apartments and hotels may be part of the future mix for the Farm as well. Zoning would need to change but if this was to happen Smales Farm will be special place to live as well as work! This would then totally satisfy the Smales family vision that the ‘farm’ is a vibrant and diverse urban community.
 
If you are keen to discover more about the B:HIVE building then have a look at this cool online video:- http://www.smalesfarm.co.nz/bhive/ or visit: www.smalesfarm.co.nz

For further information contact:- Tim Large, Senior Property Manager, Email: tim@smalesfarm.co.nz