Taking a leading role

Press, 2 November 1984, Page 19

Taking a leading role

The new $1 million premises of Hampton Studios Interiors in Ferry Road will be opened this, afternoon by the Minister of Overseas Trade and Marketing, Mr Mike Moore. Hampton Studios is a unique operation involved in the design, manufacture and installation of interiors for the leisure and hospitality industry. While servicing a growing proportion of New Zealand investment in this area, more than 80 per cent of Hampton Studios’ work is for the export market, and in 1973 the company was the recipient of an Export Award. The bulk of the firm’s clientele is in Australia, where three sister com-

panies : have been established to service local demand — one in each of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

The new Hampton Studios building in Christchurch comprises 36,000 square feet of offices, arts studio and workshop, built by Industrial Holdings.

Along with 6000 square feet of wood storage, the complex is sited on three acres of prime industrial land at the eastern-most end of Ferry Road, near the mouth of the Heathcote River.

After nearly half a century of business growth for Hamptons, the new premises have been built to meet the demands of a

burgeoning market for specialist interiors.

The firm was started in the mid 1930 s by R. J. Hampton, who served under the well-known Christchurch sculptor, Mr W. T. Trethewey, and ecclesiastical buildings bearing his marble stone-work and statuary can .be seen throughout New Zealand. Joined by his sons, Tony and Bede, R. J. Hampton’s move to commercial work was a natural progression. Over the next 30 years, Hamptons turned more to the field of renovations and refurbishing, along with corporate sculpturing and design work for hotels and company head offices. The growth of the club industry in Australia drew

the firm’s attention there, and with the purchase of a joinery company in the late 19705, Hampton’s became almost totally committed to interior design and construction.

Premises were built in Brougham Street about eight years ago to cater for the initial growth in demand for specialist interiors, and were developed as the needs of the leisure and hospitality industry became more clearly defined.

In January this year, the building of premises in Ferry Road got under way, and today’s official opening confirms the leading role of Hampton Studios Interiors in a unique and exciting growth industry.