Enjoying the eco-lifestyle
A new apartment building planned for Nelson, taps into a growing trend towards environmentally friendly living.
The boom in Nelson inner city apartment developments continues, with another project announced.
The Malthouse Lane project will see twelve apartments built on three levels in Malthouse Lane, off Collingwood Street, and energyefficient living is its key theme
Construction is planned to start early next year, with a choice of two and three bedrooms plus study layouts on offer at the development.
All the apartments will have outdoor living areas and internal garaging.
Agent Julie Ambrose of Bayley’s, says while this year has seen several inner-city apartment developments come to the market, ‘‘the demand keeps coming, so clearly the appetite for quality urban living options has not dwindled.’’
She says the new move to inner city living is attracting buyers, including retirees, from Auckland to Queenstown.
Ambrose said: ‘‘We’re seeing a lot of inquiry from people in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. People love the Nelson weather and attractions and want to live within walking distance of town and a property they can lock and leave.’’
The latest project is on the southern boundary of the Maitai riverside neighbourhood. Most apartments will have views towards the west, north and east, while lower floor apartments have private courtyards and terraces.
Malthouse Investment Property Limited (MIPL) directors Mark A-Court and Veronica Hippolite-A’Court, are excited about the project with its accent on an energyefficient living close to the city.
‘‘Nelson is really embracing the trend to city living and it’s no wonder when you can leave the car at home and have a two-minute walk to work, or a weekend stroll along the Maitai River.
‘‘We want people to discover a more rewarding way of living – less stress with more time to relax’’, Mark says.
The couple have enjoyed low ‘e’ benefits in their own home and it was a key part of the brief for Nelson architect, Andrew Irving of Irving Smith Architects.
Key features include energy saving lighting, solar powered common lighting, naturally ventilated living spaces and bedrooms, passive heating and shade elements, low water consumption plumbing, argon filled double-glazing and individually controlled under floor heating systems.
Mark A’Court added: ‘‘We have recently bought a new home which has many environmentally friendly features in it and so we appreciated the benefits, and wanted others to have them too. Things like being able to keep the property at a constant temperature. Saving on bills is very important, but providing these features is also about a lifestyle which is gentler on the environment, being able to buy organic food, living in the community and using the car less.’’