Building with a mature attitude
Development targets empty- nesters’ tastes, writes Donna Fleming
After 25 years in the property development business, Gary Groves has a pretty good idea of what the market wants, and what will appeal to certain buyers. So when it came to one of the most recent projects taken on by his company, Sanctuary Heartland, he kept empty- nesters in mind, and made a point of including features likely to be on their wish lists.
Thoughyoung professionals may also be drawn to the apartments in the Western Park development in Ponsonby, Gary thinks it’s couples downsizing from large family homes who will most appreciate the thoughtful design and attention to detail that has gone into the building, which was repurposed from commercial space.
He’s well aware that many empty- nesters will be coming from homes with luxury features, and they don’t want to settle for less when it comes to an apartment.
“People want to downsize in terms of size, but not in quality,” says Gary. “These apartments are much higher spec compared to most other properties in the market. We’ve really stepped it up when it comes to things like the Poggenpohl kitchens, French oak flooring and real Carrera marble bench tops. We’ve spent the extra money because we know people appreciate it, and we also know that people in this area are very design conscious and want the best.”
Often buyers are coming from a home that has had a swimming pool or even a tennis court, and people buying at Western Park don’t have to forsake these as there is both a tennis court and a pool. Then there are the extra touches such as the library available to all residents, and the suites for guests, a novel concept Sanctuary Heartland is using for the first time.
Rather than having spare bedrooms that sit empty for much of the time, residents of Western Park have free access to two serviced guest suites — each of the 27 apartments gets 27 nights a year — that can be used for visiting family members and friends. The suites can be reserved using an online booking system.
“Concerns some people have when they buy an apartment include not having space for occasional guests,” says Gary. “The guest suites are a solution to that, and the bonus is you don’t have to pay for it.”
So far, 21 of the 27 new apartments have sold, and Gary says a lot of the buyers are long- time Ponsonby residents who are downsizing but don’t want to leave the area. They love all the cafes, restaurants, bars and shops in Ponsonby, and want to still be a quick stroll or taxi ride away.
“We couldn’t have found a better location,” says Gary, a Ponsonby resident himself.
“You’re 50m to Ponsonby Rd, plus you also have Western Park across the road. Unless you live in the area, a lot of people don’t know about the park, but it is an amazing facility.
“And there is also the new Countdown supermarket about 150m away. You really have got everything on your doorstep.”
The apartments have been constructed on four WESTERN PARK 9 HOPETOUN ST AUCKLAND ON OFFER: PRICE: BODY CORP: INSPECT: CONTACT: ON THE WEB: floors of what was formerly office space and architect Paul Brown of Paul Brown Architects says he enjoys re- purposing commercial buildings because “it gives you more space to play with”.
“The existing building was an unusual shape, which presented a challenge but also meant there were these extra bits of space, like triangular spaces, that we could use creatively. It makes it a lot more interesting.”
Paul says Western Park is possibly the highest quality project he’s ever done.
“We’ve used top quality fixtures and fittings and materials, and the apartments are all very generous sizes. We are very pleased with how it has turned out.”
The apartments are all completed and ready to be occupied.