About

Our History

ADL Properties was founded in 1996 by Chris Barnes with a mission to provide design, management and hands-on maintenance services for tenants. We work closely with our clients, right from the initial consultation, to ensure we understand exactly what they require, then tailor the space to their needs.

WE FIT A SPACE OUT COMPLETELY FROM THE START, REDUCING THE NEED FOR CONTINUAL RENOVATION THROUGHOUT THE TENANCY.

FOUNDER/MANAGING DIRECTOR

Chris Barnes

Chris has more than 25 years of experience in property investment and development. After leaving his role in finance and investment, he saw the opportunity to establish a property company that could offer the complete spectrum of services for his tenants. His vision was to provide a full service for tenants - from tailored fit-out to ongoing maintenance and management. In 1996, he founded ADL Properties, and in 2003 he began working for the company full-time, with a focus on Dunedin.

GENERAL MANAGER

Matt Barnes

Matt has worked at ADL Properties for several years working part-time in an office-based role with the company before joining full-time in 2019. He holds a degree in Computer Science and has experience in retail management. Matt’s job is to understand the needs of the ADL tenants and project-manage the development of spaces that help them achieve their goals. He is responsible for company finances and leasing.

PROPERTY MANAGER

John Parsons

John has been in the building game for 23 years, 13 of which have been with ADL Properties. He oversees all building maintenance, including liaising with tenants and managing fit-outs. He’s the first point of contact for any building issues - if he can’t fix something himself, he’ll organise the right contractor for the job.

Chris, Matt and the team at ADL have been working with Dunedin businesses for years and have fitted out and leased some of the most admired working spaces in the city. Project development is done in collaboration with their clients, in order to ensure the best long-term results. “When Chris Barnes became a joint owner of the building we met and he outlined his ambitious vision for the building, which very much aligned with what we hoped would happen… in effect a new building” says Neil Paviour-Smith, CEO of Forsyth Barr in 2022. “I challenged Chris about timing, cost, commitment, attention to detail and programming and it was clear that he was pragmatic, sensible, very motivated and true to his word.” “Having a modern work environment in a heritage property is the ideal mix of functionality and character” says Moira from WellSouth, whose team now occupies two floors of ADL’s Cargill House site. “The property owner shared our vision, delivering a high-spec renovation that met our every requirement.” According to Matt, former CEO of Galloway Cook Allan, it was the company’s balanced approach to managing the project that made their tenancy of ADL’s Vogel Street property a success. Throughout, Chris balanced the two roles exceptionally well; he was scrupulously fair and had an "open book" approach to costs. The result was (and remains) superb - a first-class space in a first-class building, delivered on time and on budget.”