Community by design
There’s something for everyone at Skhy with its wide range of accommodation, landscaped plaza and gardens, discovers Donna Fleming
Part of the appeal of the inner city suburb of Newton is its proximity to popular areas such as Newmarket, Ponsonby, Mt Eden and Queen St. Auckland University is within easy reach, as is Auckland City Hospital, the Domain and Vector Arena. Motorway on and off ramps are a stone’s throw away and there are great public transport links.
But there’s more to Newton than just being close to amenities. It has many of its own attractions, including some of the best eateries in the city, such as The French Cafe, and more people are realising the benefits of living there, says developer Andrew Lamont.
“There are a lot of hidden gems throughout the area — you’ve got some great restaurants and also some of Auckland’s best character streetscapes,” he says.
Andrew is part of the team behind a new development near the corner of Symonds St and Khyber Pass Rd. Called Skhy ( pronounced sky), it will provide a stylish new precinct with 112 apartments along with retail and commercial space. The first release of 37 apartments sold out in just two months; the rest will be available in a final release this month.
It’s been two years since Andrew and his brother Tim, of Lamont and Co, bought the land, which included a tower block that had been the headquarters of the Winstone Group. Many people will remember the distinctive 70s- style post office with its pyramid- style canopy roof on the site.
Excited about the prospect of creating an exceptional planned community, they joined forces with renowned architect Pip Cheshire, of Cheshire Architects, who has been the driving force behind groundbreaking developments such as Britomart and City Works Depot.
“Pip is one of Auckland’s finest architects and we knew we wanted Cheshire involved — their attention to detail and quality, and experience with transformational projects was perfect for Skhy,” says Andrew.
As well as repurposing the 11- storey tower block into living spaces, apartments are also being built in three new buildings on the site. There are six different types, including spacious warehouse apartments that come with flexible layouts.
Garden apartments have large outdoor terraces, the tower homes are infused with elegance and west- facing one- bedroom terrace apartments will enjoy late afternoon sun and sunsets. The twostorey apartments were inspired by famous modernist architect Le Corbusier and the grand pavilion apartments feature striking high ceilings.
“There really is something for everyone in Skhy,” says Andrew.
Interior features inspired by the original tower and transferred to the other apartments include open plan living and dining areas with exposed concrete beams, columns and structural ceilings. Oak floors and abundant glass complement the industrial style.
Generous kitchens come with integrated Fisher & Paykel or Miele appliances while bathrooms feature striking tiles.
“People want to live in apartments they will be proud of,” says Tim. “That’s what we want to create.”
Skhy is centred on a landscaped plaza with sculptured gardens, designed by Damian Wendleborn of Urbanite Landscape Design who were also behind Britomart.
“It’s going to be a great area for residents and will help them to feel that Skhy is a private sanctuary,” says Andrew.
Tim says: “We want people to be able to live close to the city and its amenities but still have a community.”
Andrew hopes Skhy will become one of Auckland’s iconic landmarks, and part of one of the city’s most vibrant areas.
“Newton is really taking off, and it is just going to get better and better,” he says.
Stage one is under construction and due to be completed in the middle of this year. The rest of the apartments will be finished by late 2019. SKHY, 38- 44 KHYBER PASS RD NEWTON OPTIONS: BODY CORP: INSPECT: SCHOOLS: CONTACT: ON THE WEB: