TAIT Communications is creating an office campus for like-minded businesses
Tait Communications is building itself $25 million of new headquarters. The new building is part of a $35m campus project that will house Tait staff and also open up workspaces for other businesses.
The company is based in Wairakei Rd. and most of its property is owned by the Tait Foundation, established as a charitable organisation by company founder, the late Sir Angus Tait.
By the end of the year it will finish its new building. The site backs onto its existing Wairakei Rd buildings next to Canterbury Technology Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Spokeswoman Helen Metcalfe said the company saw "an opportunity, almost an obligation" to help the rebuild of Christchurch. "So they set about creating a technology park. Taits is working towards a more-collaborative style of business, working with partners."
Metcalfe said the company already worked closely with research and development organisations and tech and manufacturing companies, and they were the sort of tenants the campus would suit.
"It's about getting our technology talking to other technologies".
The new building includes two wings - an east and west joined by an atrium. Tait staff will occupy the east wing and a good proportion of the west wing but 600 square metres will be available for another tenant. Design notes say it has been built with efficiency in mind. Features include a laminated timber frame, a 12-metre-high atrium to let in natural light, an energy-saving heating and cooling system, and water drawn directly from an aquifer.
Taits manufacturing division will remain in a third building.
A new road, to be named Sir Angus Tait Dr, after the company's founder, will be part of the development of the land, previously used for market gardening.
photo: An artist's impression of the new Tait campus, which is now in need of tenants
