FOUNDATION PRECINCT - A UNIQUE DESIGN DESTINATION
Wednesday 27 March 2013 | Posted by: Rod Hanna - Designers' Collection
The Foundation has long been a favorite destination for Interior Designers and design savvy consumers. Its distinctive red bricks, early 20th Century architecture, elegant gardens & courtyard and array of specialist outlets have made it an iconic locality on Auckland’s designscape. Recent changes have made it an even more comprehensive and unique design destination.
Renamed 'Foundation Precinct' last year, the entire
block is undergoing a staged facelift including new signage,
enhanced entranceways, pathways and courtyard. Owned by the
Royal Foundation for the Blind, Foundation Precinct not only
incorporates their Head Office, but is a major source of funding
for this non-profit organisation.
The Foundation Building (on the corner of George
Street and Parnell Road) is the one that you will be most familiar
with. Opened in 1927, this building originally housed the
blind workshops. Threatened with demolition in the 1980s, the
Foundation Building is now a thriving hub for discerning shoppers
and diners.
Cavit & Co, Corso De Fiori, Alfresco and
recently relocated Designers' Collection are all original tenants
resident in this location for over twenty years. In the last
year or two, they have been joined by In Residence, SF Design,
Decortex e famiglia, with the latest arrival, European Ceramics
rounding out a comprehensive range of design options within
perusing distance of the car park. Here's a brief synopsis of
the exclusive design showrooms domiciled at Foundation
Precinct:
European Ceramics - Source a unique and diverse
range of Ceramic, Porcelain and Stone tiles to create innovative
interior and exterior tiling solutions for residential and
commercial customers. Recently relocated from St Georges Bay
Road to the showroom space formerly occupied by Designers'
Collection.
In Residence - Specialist importers of premium
quality kitchen taps, basin taps, bath taps, bathroom accessories,
soap and lotion dispensers, electric and hydronic towel warmers,
hand basins and WC suites. Their exclusive brands include
Perrin & Rowe, Hawthorn Hill and Acquello. Their
classical styling ensures their products are beautiful and timeless
while never compromising on materials or workmanship resulting in a
level of quality which is unsurpassed in the New Zealand
market.
Corso De Fiori - Has long been delighting
Foundation shoppers with its meticulously curated collection of
quality, design-led treasures from around the world - many of them
unique in New Zealand. Corso hand picks, edits and styles the
best of the world's collections; fascinating objects from the
rarefied to the practical, from high end brands to undiscovered
artisans.
Designers' Collection - Design, source and
tailor-make furniture for professional Interior Designers &
Architects. Established in 1986, they offer a broad range of
classic contemporary furniture with timeless style and fanatical
detailing. Passionate about local talent, Designers'
Collection partner with a range of New Zealand designers and
craftspeople to provide their Trade customers with an unmatched
range of design styles and products. Designers' Collection
expanded into the former Fables Rug Gallery last year.
SF Design - A 100% New Zealand owned family
business, dedicated to contemporary New Zealand design. For more
than 10 years they have been supplying distinctive rugs and carpets
to discerning Interior Designers and home owners. Their rugs
and carpets are featured in many exclusive homes, hotels and
lodges.
Alfresco - For over a quarter of a century,
Alfresco has helped create ideal outdoor living spaces.
Starting with their New Zealand designed and made outdoor
furniture, they work with customers to build a setting which is
both stylish and functional. Offer a range of lines including
ornamentation, fire and light, flatware, clothing and
accessories.
Decortex e famiglia - Provide an extensive
selection of quality decorating fabrics and wallpapers from some of
the world's leading fabric houses. Their stable of imported
brands includes Gaston y Daniela, Casadeco, Sandberg, F Schumacher,
Kobe and Wallquest among others. Director Anna Stewart
promises outstanding product, along with friendly and professional
help second to none.
Cavit & Co - Established in 1991, Cavit &
Co imports some of the world's best known brands and products
including Baxter, Frette, Ralph Lauren Home, McGuire and Baker.
Cavit & Co offer a full Interior Design service to assist
residential and commercial clients with their projects.
Beyond the design focused providers, Foundation
Precinct has much more to offer. The Foundation Espresso Room
and Tribeca restaurant offer casual or fine dining that can be
enjoyed in the idyllic courtyard. The Jubilee Building next
door houses the Parnell Library, Community Centre (offering a broad
range of community programs and meeting/event venues) and is the
backdrop for the Parnell Farmers Market every Saturday
morning.
Parking is free for visitors to The Foundation
Building for up to two hours.
Renamed 'Foundation Precinct' last year, the entire
block is undergoing a staged facelift including new signage,
enhanced entranceways, pathways and courtyard. Owned by the
Royal Foundation for the Blind, Foundation Precinct not only
incorporates their Head Office, but is a major source of funding
for this non-profit organisation.
The Foundation Building (on the corner of George Street and
Parnell Road) is the one that you will be most familiar with.
Opened in 1927, this building originally housed the blind
workshops. Threatened with demolition in the 1980s, the
Foundation Building is now a thriving hub for discerning shoppers
and diners.
Cavit & Co, Corso De Fiori, Alfresco and recently relocated
Designers' Collection are all original tenants resident in this
location for over twenty years. In the last year or two, they
have been joined by In Residence, SF Design, Decortex e famiglia,
with the latest arrival, European Ceramics rounding out a
comprehensive range of design options within perusing distance of
the car park. Here's a brief synopsis of the exclusive design
showrooms domiciled at Foundation Precinct:
Source a unique and diverse range of Ceramic,
Porcelain and Stone tiles to create innovative interior and
exterior tiling solutions for residential and commercial customers.
Recently relocated from St Georges Bay Road to the showroom
space formerly occupied by Designers' Collection.
Specialist importers of premium quality kitchen
taps, basin taps, bath taps, bathroom accessories, soap and lotion
dispensers, electric and hydronic towel warmers, hand basins and WC
suites. Their exclusive brands include Perrin & Rowe,
Hawthorn Hill and Acquello. Their classical styling
ensures their products are beautiful and timeless while never
compromising on materials or workmanship resulting in a level of
quality which is unsurpassed in the New Zealand market.
Has long been delighting Foundation shoppers
with its meticulously curated collection of quality, design-led
treasures from around the world - many of them unique in New
Zealand. Corso hand picks, edits and styles the best of the
world's collections; fascinating objects from the rarefied to the
practical, from high end brands to undiscovered artisans.
Design, source and tailor-make furniture for
professional Interior Designers & Architects. Established
in 1986, they offer a broad range of classic contemporary furniture
with timeless style and fanatical detailing. Passionate about
local talent, Designers' Collection partner with a range of New
Zealand designers and craftspeople to provide their Trade customers
with an unmatched range of design styles and products.
Designers' Collection expanded into the former Fables Rug
Gallery last year.
A 100% New Zealand owned family business,
dedicated to contemporary New Zealand design. For more than 10
years they have been supplying distinctive rugs and carpets to
discerning Interior Designers and home owners. Their rugs and
carpets are featured in many exclusive homes, hotels and lodges.
SF Design rugs and carpets are displayed alongside Designers'
Collection furniture in their shared showroom.
For over a quarter of a century, Alfresco has
helped create ideal outdoor living spaces. Starting with
their New Zealand designed and made outdoor furniture, they work
with customers to build a setting which is both stylish and
functional. Offer a range of lines including ornamentation,
fire and light, flatware, clothing and accessories.
Provide an extensive selection of quality
decorating fabrics and wallpapers from some of the world's leading
fabric houses. Their stable of imported brands includes
Gaston y Daniela, Casadeco, Sandberg, F Schumacher, Kobe and
Wallquest among others. Director Anna Stewart promises
outstanding product, along with friendly and professional help
second to none.
Established in 1991, Cavit & Co imports
some of the world's best known brands and products including
Baxter, Frette, Ralph Lauren Home, McGuire and Baker. Cavit
& Co offer a full Interior Design service to assist residential
and commercial clients with their projects.
Beyond the design focused providers, Foundation Precinct has
much more to offer. The Foundation Espresso Room and Tribeca
restaurant offer casual or fine dining that can be enjoyed in the
idyllic courtyard. The Jubilee Building next door houses the
Parnell Library, Community Centre (offering a broad range of
community programs and meeting/event venues) and is the backdrop
for the Parnell Farmers Market every Saturday
morning.
Parking is free for visitors to The Foundation Building for up
to two hours.
