First comes the site preparation, followed by foundation construction, then framing. Installation of windows and doors is important, then add roofing, siding, and some electrical and plumbing. Builders add the insulation, drywall, underlayment, and trim. As the electrical and plumbing is completed, painting, carpet, and flooring is added. The builders will hook up the water main and sewer. Residents and tenants will start to arrive bringing with them cafes, hotels, day care centres, shops and convenience stores. And there it is: The making of a lovely eight level building sitting in central city Auckland. “127 Hobson Street is an example of one of the best mixed used buildings in Auckland,” said Hamish Firth, principal of Mt Hobson Group. “I think it was the combination of efficient, smart council members that worked to approve the project, the award winning architect, an engineering-focused builder, and a seasoned developer that brought it together. When you have a team of professionals that work well together, you end up with a great build. Auckland needs more of these.” Firth and team obtained the necessary permits for the old three story building. 127 Hobson Street had sat vacant for eight years until it became a passion project taken on by Dennis Parbhu, a developer from Wellington with a reputation of taking nothings and turning them into somethings. He doesn’t sell his builds, but instead adds them to his personal real estate portfolio. In fact, his newest addition to Auckland includes his own 2 level penthouse that was designed for his family. “Everything I do, I do it to keep. It doesn’t make sense to sell. There’s no money in it.” Created by Clearwater Construction and designed by Ashton Mitchell Architecture, The Hobson Street mixed use build includes a sunny child care centre; a high end, two story penthouse; a picturesque window café complete with hardwood floors; a convenience and grocery store; seven expansive apartments with great ocean and city views; a secure basement car park; and 44 fully furnished hotel residence rooms currently occupied by Quest Hotel. This mixed used building was a build for leisure, entertainment, retail and residence. The design aimed to create spaces that correspond to the contemporary society that surrounds it, while catering to a heritage style that is loved throughout New Zealand. The Hobson Street team started with an old building that looked dated and ended with a building that accommodates a growing population while maintaining the character and style that was started on Hobson Street generations ago. Of course the usual battles had to be fought. Parbhu took on the banks that don’t seem to want to lend to anyone right now, and battled a water and electric company that changed charges, added costs, and demanded a list of their own costly requirements. “It’s getting incredibly expensive to build,” said Parbhu. But in the end, he admits that it’s been well worth the challenge. Now stands a building that Clearwater, Ashton Mitchell and Dennis Parbhu can add to their ever growing portfolios of design, engineering, and builds. As for Parbhu, he’s not actively working on a new project right now. “I say that I’m not going to do another one, but then I find one to do,” he says with a smile.