Comprehensive remediation across 17 buildings to restore asset value and enable long-term viability
The St Lukes Garden Apartments projects is a transformative multi-stage recladding and remediation project that is breathing new life into several residential apartment blocks in Auckland. For the duration of this project Rubix is providing comprehensive client-side project leadership, project planning, design phase management, and contract administration. This landmark project demanded strategic oversight and unwavering commitment across a complex and extended construction programme.
Developed between 2003 and 2011, the complex included 284 units across 17 buildings grouped into 8 blocks. All buildings had weathertightness, passive fire and services defects requiring comprehensive remediation. The mission was clear: complete the project and restore the correct asset value to the Body Corporate while ensuring residents could remain in their homes throughout the carefully orchestrated staged process.
A multi-staged approach over multiple years
Rubix has already successfully project managed the early and mid stages of this complex, multi-stage project, and is on-board to continue until it’s completion in 2027 . Our role involves extensive liaison and collaboration with the client's representative HOBANZ, a specialist organisation that assists homeowners and Body Corporates of buildings requiring remediation.
The site featured multiple apartment buildings with shared access and beautifully landscaped communal spaces. The four to five-story apartment buildings contained a thoughtful mix of two and three bedroom residential units. The remedial works delivered extensive weathertightness improvements, structural upgrades, and fire safety enhancements across all 17 buildings.
The design works are scheduled for execution in multiple phases with investigation and destructive testing works completed on several test apartments to enable designers are well-informed about challenges that would be encountered during construction. Form Building & Developments was strategically engaged through Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) to assist with design planning, enabling proactive procurement and logistical input before construction commenced.
Points of interest
- Dynamic and Adaptive Project Staging - The staging plan was expertly adjusted mid-project to align with Watercare's Central Interceptor Project and optimise construction logistics, demonstrating exceptional flexibility and strategic thinking.
- Collaborative Governance Model - The project was successfully governed through an innovative partnership between HOBANZ and the SLGA Body Corporate Committee, ensuring meaningful homeowner representation throughout the process.
- Owner-Initiated Upgrades - Individual owners were empowered to request upgrades such as kitchen replacements and security screens, managed seamlessly through HOBANZ to enhance their living experience.
- Comprehensive Risk Management Framework - Risks were systematically categorised using the PESTLE model with regular risk workshops and a centralised risk register ensuring proactive mitigation and project success.
- Green Star Waste Management Compliance - The contractor exceeded stringent waste minimisation targets (70% reuse/recycling by weight) aligned with Green Star New Zealand MAN-5 standards, demonstrating environmental leadership.
Why Rubix
Rubix was chosen for our proven ability to bring clarity, structure, and visionary leadership to complex remedial projects, perfectly aligning with our values of accountability, collaboration, and delivery excellence. The St Lukes Gardens Apartments project required the staged recladding and remediation of multiple residential blocks over an extended programme, demanding disciplined project planning and design phase management, transparent stakeholder communication, and robust contract administration. As Project Managers, Engineer to the Contract, and administrators of procurement and delivery, Rubix delivered comprehensive end-to-end leadership that expertly balanced risk, maintained momentum, and achieved outstanding quality outcomes across all phases of the project.
