The Samoa Government’s new commercial and office building in Mangere is open and ready for tenants.
The Fale O Samoa complex was opened on July 31 earlier this year. It is built on 5345 square metres of prime land located in the heart of Mangere, on the corner of Bader Drive and Mascot Ave, opposite the Mangere Town.
The complex is situated practically in a gateway to the rest of Auckland. Just 15 minutes from Auckland’s International and Domestic Airports, 5 minutes from access to the Southern and North Western motorways and on a good day, 20-30 minutes from the CBD, this could certainly be a gem in the crown for the Samoan Government.
Located in the complex are two separate buildings. The fale is one of the largest Samoan meeting houses built in New Zealand providing Auckland’s latest and unique landmarks ‘Fale O Samoa.’
It is a distinctive fale built along traditional lines with a long dome like roof and posts.
Next door to the fale is a brand new architecturally designed standalone three-storey office building with space available for tenants.
Pacific Periscope was kindly invited to tour the premises with Samoa Trade Commissioner Fonoti Lafitai Iupati Fuatai and Terra Firma Group Property Manager Tony Dawson.
Mr Dawson said he has received many enquiries but they were looking for professional businesses ideally with an association with the Pacific.
“Interest has been really good” he said. But they were still looking for tenants that would be a good business fit. The premises were “absolutely fantastic” with a high profile from the road Mr Dawson said. The property is listed widely with several agents. Good interest had come from potential retailers Mr Dawson said.
There are two retail spaces available on the ground level featuring large wraparound glass windows and doors opening directly on to Mascot Ave.
The second floor has a large vacant space waiting for new tenants to add their own flavour. The area is ideally suited for 1-2 tenants or could be divided into small office spaces said Mr Dawson.
The Samoa Consulate General and Government offices are located on the third floor with the Samoa Consul General, Trade Commissioner and staff.
The floor is large, light and airy with distinctively shaped windows. There is a good-sized conference/meeting room with an ample modern equipped kitchen and staff area.
Designers Walker Group Architects carried the Pacific theme from the fale through to the office building internally with lots of exposed wooden structural beams and panels and polished concrete floors and walls. The mix of large airy windows and long sideways elongated diamond shaped windows, strategically placed adds not only light but interest.
But moving out from the long-time location in the Maota Samoa in Karangahape Road in Auckland’s inner city was a big step for the Samoa Government. However, they wanted to be more central and closer to their Samoan communities.
Fonoti Lafitai Fuatai said like the other building in town, the new building was also to serve our people in terms of their travel and other documents. But it was also a hub for community service like Independence celebrations and other types of activities like fundraisers.
The complex is expected to be self-sustaining after a few years.
The fale is available for hire. The grand venue has already proven to be popular, already hosting events and forward bookings through to December 2017.
There is no doubt the new complex has given the Mangere Town Centre and its surrounding suburb an exciting new visual dimension with the traditional shapes and structures of the Samoan fale and the modern commercial building.
Already, one of Samoa’s homegrown and favourite retailers of giftware, Samoan Language books, products and clothing has opened its first Auckland flagship store on November 20. Owner Mrs Fiti Leung Wai said they had originally wanted just one of the four retail spaces but opted to take two spaces.
The offices in the building are expected to be fully tenanted by May 2017.
Photo: Samoa Government’s new commercial and office building-(left) in Mangere, Auckland New Zeland.