The BNZ Heritage Apartments
The BNZ Heritage Apartments
As we near the end of 2023 it is a great opportunity to reflect on some of the wonderful work we have been involved in over the last 12 months. The BNZ Heritage project in Kaiapoi has to have been one of our all-time favourite commercial projects.
This handsome 19th Century building, which brims with original architectural features from it's commercial banking days, was completely transformed into two luxury two-bedroomed apartments on the upper floor with a boutique bookshop below. High-level interior finishes were carefully selected to speak elegantly to the history of this classic building. This project was a collaborative effort by many wonderful North Canterbury locals and the result really speaks for itself.
The building is noteworthy as a particularly fine example of 19th century bank design and retains many distinctive architectural features, so careful attention to detail was a priority. Contrasts of white stone against red brick on the exterior influenced some of our interior choices where we wanted to emphasise the elaborate classical ornamentation of windows, doorways and iron railings.
We opted for luxurious and natural interior finishes such as leather, sheepskin and wool to highlight the local North Canterbury farming community and the renowned Kaiapoi Woollen Mills. Historic photography, stained glass windows, fabrics and wallpaper showcasing houndstooth and plaid are paired with sleek black furniture and glass decor anchoring you to the present day and providing a new interpretation of the building's interior.
We used plaid suiting as an influence for the wallpaper and headboards, as a nod to the BNZ bankers who would have frequented the building and we loved this playful and modern twist on a classic print. The plush cushions are from Designers Guild and also tie in cohesively to our heritage theme, but with a distinctly modern colour palette.
Custom headboards were created to fit neatly around the classic skirting boards and intricate piping works beautifully to enhance the headboad detailing. We were conscious to create soft furnishings which were highly sympathetic to the structure of the building itself and highlighted the period features in the individual rooms.
A reduced and natural colour palette adds to the serenity of the boutique apartments and offers a sense of escape from the world you look down on from the juliette balcony. These heritage apartments offer something unique in the heart of Kaiapoi and the sense of local community is one of the special aspects of this destination stay. A coffee is just a stones-throw away (see our latest project - Paris For The Weekend Cafe) and grabbing a book from the beautiful Paper Plus bookstore downstairs is a real drawcard for the discerning traveller. We highly recommend the stay for those visiting extended family over the holiday period.
This project was an absolute delight and we look forward to being involved in many more local commercial projects in 2024. We can't wait to share more of what we have been up to in the local North Canterbury area.
