HB Company Secures Museum Redevelopment Contract

The redevelopment of Hawke’s Bay Museum & Art Gallery (HBMAG) is an important step closer today, with the announcement by Napier City Council that Hawke’s Bay company Gemco Construction Ltd has been awarded the contract for the Museum’s $18 million redevelopment project.

“This is a major milestone in the development of the HBMAG’s Marine Parade site. I am thrilled that the opportunity to build an iconic home for the treasures of Hawke’s Bay has gone to a proven local business – such a development can only be seen as doubly good for the city and region” said Mayor Barbara Arnott.

The redevelopment includes the building of a contemporary wing on the corner of Herschell and Tennyson Streets, which will form the new entrance to the HBMAG complex. This new wing will house six exhibition galleries over three levels, an education suite and a large foyer, shop and reception area.

The new building will connect through ground level exhibition galleries to the Century Theatre and the 1930’s Louis Hay designed wing. The original entrance to this building will be reinstated and it will house the Hawke’s Bay Regional Archive and the Bestall Gallery. The Century Theatre, designed by Guy Natusch in 1977 will be retained, and a cafe will be a new feature of the building.

This HBMAG site will be handed over to Gemco in late June 2011 when preparation and construction on the site can begin.

The tenders received were evaluated using a quality based system that enables tenderers to compete on both price and quality. This will ensure that construction is delivered to a high level of finish for this landmark and to ensure that the Hawke’s Bay Museums Trust (HBMT) collection and objects displayed in the new exhibition spaces will be maintained in line with Museum standards.

Gemco Construction Ltd
Gemco Construction Ltd, based in Havelock North, with over 85 staff, have a wealth of experience encompassing all areas of commercial, industrial and residential construction, with a focus on performance, innovation and quality. Gemco Construction Ltd’s proven track record of recent major projects such as the EIT Trades Centre (2011), Hawke’s Bay Sportspark Grandstand (2010) and the All Saints Church in Taradale (2009) have earned them a reputation for being proactive, innovative, technologically advanced and extremely responsive to their clients’ needs.