Community a driver behind business

Nelson-based Gibbons Construction is a familybased business founded in 1950 by the late Bill Gibbons. “We’re very passionate about construction, the community and employing local,” says construction manager Richard Mabbott.
The recent completion of the Trafalgar Centre is a good example as it was a community-based project for the Nelson City Council.
Being involved in the initial design process meant they could offer savings as they worked in conjunction with the council to take community requirements into account.
“We can offer solutions that we believe will work best,” says Richard. “It’s executed well, it came in on budget and it’s a nice looking, refreshing building being used by the community on a daily basis.”
The Green Gables Retirement Village is currently in its initial stages preparing the ground for laying the foundations for the 2700qsm build which will have 28 apartments and 59 care-suites.
It’s a big build for the region and outsourcing to long-serving local contractors for things like the ﬁt-out or the external cladding is part and parcel of getting it ﬁnished on time and on budget. The result will be a classic mix of timber and stone which will be of beneﬁt to the broader Nelson community as well as being pleasing to the eye.
They are also in the process of constructing the new Nelson Airport Terminal in a joint venture with Naylor Love and Fulton Hogan. “It’s an architecturally designed build that’s very appealing to the eye,” says Richard.
Using locally sourced LVL from Nelson Pine has added to the visual aspect of the roof sections which in themselves presented a challenge to construct off-site and have craned in place. “It’s like a large lego system which ultimately saves time and money.
It’s this sort of approach and working in conjunction with Naylor Love and Fulton Hogan which works well and has a positive outcome for all parties.”
The newly built Airways Control Tower being constructed at the same time adjacent to the new terminal offered a unique design challenge with its base being smaller at the bottom and the build being wider at the top.

“Building it in conjunction with an operating airport was a challenge in itself,” says Richard.
“We’re proud of the innovative ideas that our staff bring to some of these challenges.”
The Nelson Tasman Hospice is also a new build which is currently 75% through. Designed by Irving Smith architects in conjunction with the hospice team it will replace the current hospice and is looking to open in early March.
It’s the type of local team effort, working in conjunction with local contractors, which Richard says contributes to successful builds.
“With Gibbons being a locally-based family construction company, we value the input from the community, the staff and the contractors which is a large part of our success.”
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