Picture the imposing steel structure before you. This is the Catalina Workshops at Hobsonville Point. Originally built in the late 1920s it served as a hangar and workshop for Catalina flying boats. The Royal New Zealand Air Force used the building. Later Tasman Empire Airways Ltd TEAL shared it. Imagine the scene bustling with activity. Mechanics toiled. Seaplanes were serviced. The air vibrated with the roar of engines. The workshops housed not just the planes but also vital equipment. The Instrument Bay Electrical Bay and safety gear were all stored here. There was even a Metal shop and a Woodwork shop.
The Catalina Workshops are a piece of New Zealand aviation history. They bear witness to the early days of commercial aviation in the country. After the final seaplane flight in April 1967 the building stood empty. Years of neglect took their toll. The armed forces left the building in various states of disrepair. It was a challenge to preserve the workshops. The cost of replacing unsafe materials was often too high. Willis Bond and Co undertook the massive restoration project. They wanted to preserve the best parts while sacrificing the substandard.
The restoration was far more challenging than building from scratch. Architects needed to be sensitive to the building’s original character. Builders needed pride in their work. The original steel framework was surprisingly well-preserved. It was far short of modern standards yet strong enough. New steel was added for reinforcement. The giant hangar doors a defining feature were retained. Asbestos cladding was removed and replaced with a new glazed façade. The result is industrial chic office space with stunning harbor views. The glass skin suspends in front of the old riveted steel. It maintains the dialogue with the original structure. The transformation is complete and the Workshops are partially leased. Today you can see a testament to preserving heritage and adapting it for modern use. The Catalina Workshops stand as a symbol of history preserved. A reminder of New Zealand’s aviation past. A vibrant part of Hobsonville Point’s future.