AWS Legal Chief Executive Grant Yorkstone at the new Invercargill building before the official opening on Monday. PHOTOS: LAURA SMITH

Following a karakia and blessing, AWS Legal staff will begin work at their new Invercargill headquarters this Monday.

The law firm had been based directly behind its newly finished building since the 1980s.

Chief executive Grant Yorkstone explained the project was about four years in the making and construction on the building began about a year ago.

While the build was meant to be finished in August, Covid-19 related delays meant the opening had been pushed back.

The building design had focused on working to improve client care and collaboration among staff, he said.

The new Don St AWS Legal building is located directly behind its old building, in Spey St.

Focus had also gone to ensuring the history of the firm was recognised; photos of the founding partners after whom the company was named lined the staircase walls.

Its beginnings stemmed from the 1890s.

‘‘In 130 years various partners have come and gone.’’

Meeting rooms on the ground floor were named after some of these partners.

Aspects of the build were yet to be finished but business would begin at 10am on Monday.