Three tenancies. One complete, coordinated fit-out.

ATL delivered a full electrical, lighting, HVAC, data and security fit-out as part of the extensive refurbishment of this commercial building on Fitzgerald Avenue, Christchurch.

Working alongside RPC Construction, the project was completed in three stages over approximately eight months, transforming an ageing building into three distinct commercial spaces. ATL designed and installed services across all three tenancies, with multiple divisions of our team working together throughout the project.

The completed building now includes an upstairs office and hot-desk workspace, a street-facing ground-floor commercial office, and a commercial catering base occupying the rear tenancy.

A complete building transformation

The existing building required a significant strip-out before the new fit-outs could begin. With three tenancies requiring very different environments, the electrical, lighting, security and HVAC systems were designed around how each space would ultimately be used.

ATL completed the full electrical fit-out, including new power, data, emergency lighting and four upgraded switchboards. One of the larger infrastructure challenges involved replacing the building’s mains supply and moving it from the existing overhead connection to a new underground supply.

Project services included:

• Full commercial electrical fit-out

• Switchboard and electrical infrastructure upgrades

• Power and data

• Lighting design, supply and installation

• Emergency and exit lighting

• Mitsubishi Electric HVAC

• Ventilation and commercial kitchen services

• Security and CCTV

• Access control

• Exterior and car park lighting

Three spaces, three difference requirements

Stage 01 — Upstairs Offices

The upper level was transformed into a bright office and hot-desk environment, combining open-plan workspace with smaller individual areas.

Large custom-designed rectangular linear lighting systems create a strong visual feature over the open-plan work areas. ATL designed and supplied these alongside low-glare recessed fittings, decorative lighting and dimmable lighting in selected areas.

The HVAC design combines cassette systems serving the main open-plan tenancy with individual split systems, allowing separate areas to control their own heating and cooling.

Stage 02 — Commercial Office

The street-facing ground-floor tenancy was transformed into a contemporary open-plan commercial office, with a raw industrial aesthetic.

Exposed services became part of the look rather than something to conceal. Mitsubishi Electric cassette systems were selected and positioned to work within the open ceiling structure, while the lighting design complements the architectural character of the space.

Specialised low-glare recessed fittings were also used throughout the meeting room, atrium and kitchen areas, providing comfortable, functional lighting while maintaining the clean architectural finish.

The existing structure, ceiling heights and staged construction programme all had to be considered when positioning and sizing the HVAC systems.

Stage 03 — Commercial Catering

At the rear of the ground floor, ATL completed the electrical and mechanical HVAC services required to turn the space into a commercial catering base incorporating a showroom, full demonstration kitchen and offices.

Alongside the general electrical fit-out, the team wired the large commercial rangehood and installed its speed controller, incorporated ventilation into the office space, and provided HVAC using a combination of new Mitsubishi Electric equipment and suitable existing Daikin systems retained as part of the project.

Lighting designed around the space

Lighting became one of the defining features of the finished building.

ATL developed the lighting design across the entire property, with ATL supplying and installing the majority of the decorative fittings alongside the project’s architectural and functional lighting.

This included the dramatic suspended linear systems within the offices, low-glare recessed downlights, wall lighting, dimmable hallway fittings and feature LED strip lighting.

In the kitchen/bar area, LED strip was incorporated both above and below the timber shelving. Rather than simply providing task lighting, it highlights the tiled wall and shelving and has become one of the standout details of the finished space.

Heating & cooling for multiple tenancies

Around 15 HVAC units service the building, with the system configuration tailored to the requirements of the individual spaces.

ATL installed new Mitsubishi Electric systems while retaining suitable existing equipment where practical to help manage the project budget. The combination of cassette and high-wall systems also allowed different tenancies and work areas to have independent temperature control rather than treating the building as one environment.

For both ground-floor tenancies, black cassette units were specifically sourced to complement the exposed ceilings and raw industrial aesthetic, allowing the HVAC systems to sit comfortably within the overall design rather than detract from it.

Access & security

ATL’s security team delivered access control and security across all three occupancies.

External Akuvox A08 access keypads provide multiple entry options including PIN, Bluetooth, NFC and proximity tags, while internal Akubela HyPanel Plus touchscreens provide control over security and access.

As part of the access control installation, ATL also ensured the required Emergency Door Release (EDR) buttons were installed at exits, allowing doors to be released in an emergency and ensuring the system met the required safety provisions.

Importantly for a multi-tenancy commercial property, the system allows the property manager to remotely manage access and change or grant entry codes when required. CCTV was also incorporated, with provision in the car park and active-deterrent cameras with lighting.

Exterior & car park

The project extended outside the building too, with ATL completing exterior and car park lighting.

Motion and light-sensor-controlled floodlights provide practical lighting to the car park while avoiding unnecessary operation when the area isn’t being used.

One project, mulitple teams

Fitzgerald Avenue showcases ATL’s ability to take on complex commercial projects from multiple angles, bringing specialist teams together to deliver a coordinated result.

Electrical, lighting design, HVAC, data and security all formed part of the same project, allowing the different systems to be planned and delivered together as the building progressed through its three stages.

The result is three very different commercial environments within one refurbished building, each tailored to the practical requirements and aesthetic of its occupants.