"It will offer high-profile character showroom space aimed at either a premium homeware brand or a food and beverage operator looking to join the growing collection of boutique and international names in the area," Wolland says.
The owner of the complex, Justin Wyborn, says the building to be leased is between Matisse and Palazzo Kitchens, two premium brands offering European products and design.
"This opens up an excellent opportunity for another high-end boutique retailer or a cafe/restaurant to move in to newly-refurbished space," Wyborn says.
"The addition of a new occupier will complete the complex, which will offer a one-stop destination for luxury homeware and design, with front and rear courtyards providing plenty of off-street parking."
Wyborn says 101 The Strand's makeover is designed to attract top-tier tenants keen to move to Parnell and take advantage of having an excellent profile on The Strand while rubbing shoulders with other premium brands.
"This complex offers a location among superior retail names in a sought-after location near the waterfront," he says. "We expect to receive interest in the remaining retail space from occupiers seeking the excellent benefits and profile this location offers."
Wyborn says the building at 101 The Strand was constructed in the 1990s as an addition to an old warehouse next door, the Dawson's Furniture/Palazzo building, which is being renovated and modernised.
The original concrete walls of this 1940s structure have been sandblasted back to remove layers of paint. Large picture windows and modern steel work are being added to provide high-end showroom space with plenty of historic character that echoes the building's industrial past.
The tilt slab, clear span building will also have steel beams and exposed concrete, closely mirroring the adjacent building. A high stud interior, white-washed walls and timber trusses, along with large frameless glass windows, will create a light-filled and modern space.
Further warehouse space is being demolished at the rear of the property to create an extra courtyard with more car parking and to provide further natural light to the interiors.
Wolland says this part of Parnell - running along The Strand through to St Georges Bay Rd - is home to a collection of specialty homeware stores that has become a destination in its own right.
"The area now showcases some of the best international homeware products available in New Zealand, including luxury brands such as Kouzina, Domo, Mondial, Matisse and Bauhaus, as well as the popular Home Ideas Centre."
He says the refurbished complex fits in well with the "gentrification" of this part of Parnell.
"The Strand and lower St Georges Bay Rd have undergone a rapid transformation from light industrial to more intensive retail, residential and commercial use, owing to the prime location on the Auckland CBD fringe."
Wolland says there are almost no retail vacancies on The Strand.
"This has been a highly sought after area ever since the first retail conversions took place. Tenant demand is strong and inquiry levels for high-quality, well-located retail space often exceeds supply, meaning any vacant premises tend to get snapped up quickly."
He says this trend was reflected in refurbished space within the complex being quickly taken up by Palazzo and Dawson's Furniture.
"Along with the new long-term lease the owner has negotiated with Matisse, these tenants help cement the complex's future as a destination for quality home and design showrooms.
"So we're expecting a high demand for this last remaining building."
Wolland says Parnell is an outstanding commercial location with all the advantages of a CBD site but with extra benefits such as on-site parking and quick access to the motorway system via the Stanley St on-ramps.
"The location provides close links to the north-south State Highway 1 and northwestern SH16 motorway, while The Strand itself is a major arterial route."
