Five years ago, STACK Interiors completed a transformative fit-out for CBRE Auckland’s workplace on Level 37 of the iconic ANZ Centre in Auckland CBD. Recognised as a finalist at the Designers Institute of New Zealand Best Awards 2022, the 1,100sqm single-floorplate project set out to reflect the dynamic nature of the property market while driving high performance, agility and connection across their multi-disciplinary team.
Recently, we sat down with Andrew Stringer, Senior Managing Director at CBRE New Zealand, to reflect on how the environment has stood the test of time. As part of our ongoing series of five-year revisits, our goal is to show how intentional workplace strategy and quality delivery continue to endure, perform and inspire long after day one.
Designed for agility and connection
Moving from a traditional setup to a consolidated single floorplate required a complete rethink of how CBRE’s 110-person team worked. The internal workplace strategy called for a fully agile, desk-sharing model with unassigned seating to break down silos, promote transparency and reflect the fast-paced property industry.
Sitting down with Andrew, he shares how seamlessly that spatial strategy aligned with CBRE’s business performance. "As a multi-discipline business, our value for clients is created through collaboration," Andrew explains. "Having an agile working environment has enhanced inter-team connection and created a stronger, connected culture. It also better caters to our highly mobile team, maintaining a real buzz even when we aren’t at full occupancy."
At the heart of the floorplate sits a central front-of-house community space framing expansive views of Auckland’s CBD. Anchored by a kitchen, transformable meeting rooms, semi-private booths, and soft seating, this multi-purpose zone acts as a welcoming anchor for both staff and visitors, easily transitioning from focus work to client hosting and team socialising.
Materiality and quality that endures
A key test of any high-performing workplace is how well the physical environment withstands half a decade of heavy daily use. Stepping onto Level 37 five years after completion, the materiality, finishes, and craftsmanship look just as sharp, fresh, and pristine as they did on day one.
The original design carefully merged architectural features, high-spec FF&E, and bespoke lighting to balance elegance with resilience. From the high-traffic central hub to the private focus settings, every surface and finish has proven its durability. The materials have aged gracefully without showing wear, proving that investing in quality construction and thoughtful material selection delivers genuine long-term value.
A live showcase of workplace strategy
As premier advisers in real estate and workplace strategy, CBRE needed an environment that did more than house their team. It needed to embody their expertise.
Over the past five years, Level 37 has become an invaluable tool for demonstrating successful spatial planning to the wider market. "One of the best things has been the way our leasing and workplace strategy professionals have used our own space to show clients agile working in practice," Andrew notes. "It’s a powerful way to demonstrate that we ‘walk the talk’ when it comes to the solutions we recommend. We’ve had so many tours by interested groups, and it’s a real point of pride when they comment so positively on our space."
Adaptability in action
Delivered in 2021, the workplace was designed to handle fluidity from the outset. Pushing the boundary between form and function, the flexible layout created a timeless, resilient environment built for the long term.
Reflecting on how the layout has held up through post-COVID shifts in working patterns, Andrew emphasises how future-proof the original concept proved to be:
"We’ve made no material changes to our space, which means the design team really nailed it when thinking not just about the post-COVID period, but how people would work in the medium term. We’ve upgraded some technology elements seamlessly and created a little bit more capacity, all in line with the original design."
Culture, pride and lasting value
For CBRE, the return on investment goes far beyond spatial efficiency. It is seen daily in employee engagement, culture, and talent attraction.
"For me, it’s watching our younger team members use the space for social connection, which enhances their relationships and knowledge of our business," says Andrew. "That, and hearing our people say they are proud to work in an environment that’s been designed for them."
Looking ahead to the next five years, the workplace remains as relevant and invigorating as the day it opened. As Andrew sums up: "Hopefully we’ll need more space as we continue to grow, but honestly, it’s hard to see how it can be better. We have amazing views, a super central location, and a space that maximises those benefits."
At STACK Interiors, we believe that exceptional design is a long-term investment in culture, functionality, and brand identity. We are immensely proud to see CBRE’s workplace continuing to perform, adapt, and lead by example five years on.
Photography by David Straight
