Tribune complex a tribute to couple’s vision and hard work

A Hastings landmark that closed due to earthquake risk has come alive as a stunning office, retail and hospitality precinct that rivals the best in New Zealand.

Property developers and passionate Hastings’ champions Rob and Barb Hansen have brought life back into the former Hawke’s Bay Herald Tribune buildings, transforming them into a modern social and business precinct that still acknowledges its past newspaper history.

The old red brick building on the corner of Karamu Road and Queen Street, which once housed the paper’s archives, has been strengthened and converted into a retail and café space; the old press printer area is now an expansive sun-capturing atrium with an array of commercial tenants; and the former paper dispatch area is now Brave Brewing Co. and bar.

More than 150 people across 25 businesses will be based at Tribune, bringing to life what had sadly become an eye sore since media outlet NZME moved to new premises many years ago.

“Right from the start we wanted to create a precinct with personality and heart that shows pride in the community of Hastings. That has remained our primary motivation while striving to create an attractive, aspirational place that attracts people from all over Hawke’s Bay and visitors to the region.

“We have always felt that Hastings has beautiful character buildings that haven’t been given the love and attention that has been seen in other parts of Hawke’s Bay,” says Barb Hansen.

“We had worked 100 metres down Karamu Road for many years and walked past the site every day.

“We acquired it in late 2018 but at that stage had no plans, consents or tenants.

There were six separate building projects at different stages so it has been hard to determine an actual completion date,” she says.

The dynamic couple have always loved the challenge of transforming character buildings into beautiful functional spaces and could see the potential for a mixed-use precinct of hospitality, retail and office spaces established in character settings with lots of greenery.

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First published by The Profit. Click here to read the full article.