Modern living in a new way
A set of upmarket apartments near Hamilton’s central city is the latest in a series of Waikato investments by expat Kiwi and professional urban planner Ian Brownlee and his family.
The rental apartments will be available early next year.
The property in Tainui St, opposite Hamilton Girls’ High School, has been family-owned since the 1980s, and had housed four 1950s-era, single-storey units.
Brownlee was born in Hamilton and worked for Hamilton City Council as a town planner in the
1970s.
Today, the family live in Hong Kong where their company specialises in getting approval for complex, high-rise buildings – some more than 60 storeys – where factors including accessibility and sustainability are prime considerations.
They are keen to bring their overseas experience to Waikato.
Over the years, the Brownlees have worked with Hamilton architect Peter Chibnall (Chibnall Buckell Team Architects) to bring several blocks of
1970s apartments up to the latest standards.
‘‘Many of the old 1970s blocks are of great construction and are quite big. We have gutted them and refitted them to modern standards, including insulation and solar heating,’’ Brownlee said.
However, they could not apply the same approach to the Tainui St project. ‘‘The old units on this site were not capable of complete renovation, and with only four units, the site was underdeveloped.
‘‘They were demolished and are being replaced by a more intensive development, which better utilises the views and location.
‘‘We also need to look ahead to issues like how people can more easily live in these apartments, such as working from home.
‘‘In this sense, the provision of solar electricity for rental apartments is really important, not just a commercial gimmick, but something that should be done everywhere.
‘‘Electric vehicle charging facilities are also the way of the future, so will be provided in this development.
‘‘We also need to design for an ageing population where accessibility to central facilities in the city is important.
‘‘Apartments need to be designed to be easy to live in generally, and in some there is a need for specific requirements for wheelchair access.
‘‘In our design, we are specifically catering for young couples who want to live an easy lifestyle and do not want to invest in property at this stage of their life.
‘‘The second group are those over 50 who want to downsize but not buy a new property, people who are happy to rent and use their money for a good life and grow older in a property that meets their requirements in a very comfortable way.’’
Chibnall said the apartments, which overlook Hamilton CBD, will have panoramic views to the north and east.
They are a mix of one-, twoand three-bedroom units, with four on the ground floor and four on the first floor.
Each apartment has separate living, dining, kitchen and laundry; air-conditioning; large outdoor terraces; and solar-powered energy supply.
‘‘We have worked with Ian and Maggie Brownlee over the past eight years. We have renovated and updated several projects to become upmarket apartments around Hamilton,’’ Chibnall said.
Construction in Tainui St is undertaken by Goldsack Builders Ltd, and property management is with Lodge City Rentals.