TOP OF THE ROCK

Seeing this sophisticated development take shape has been a joy for a member of the architectural team, writes DONNA FLEMING

ST HELIERS Bean Rock, 27-29 Towai Street

One of the best parts of being an architect is getting to see the ideas in your head become reality, says Karl Newby of Jessop Architects.

“You’ve often been living with these ideas for a while, and seeing the end results is definitely one of the highlights of the job,” he says.

Karl has been part of the team working on the Bean Rock development in St Heliers, and seeing stage one completed was a definite high point.

Now two lots of four duplex townhouses that make up stage two have been released for sale, and five of the eight have already been snapped up. It’s great to see so much interest says Karl, who clearly remembers the first time he saw the north-facing site, which had been home to several adjoining houses built after World War II, and started thinking about how it could be turned into a collection of stylish contemporary homes that offered owners a great lifestyle in a popular area.

“One of the important things was making them distinctly different, without being a mishmash,” explains Karl. “They had to all fit in and talk to each other, and I think they do. Because the whole project has been master planned, it has a cohesive feel to it.”

Each townhouse also had to have privacy and a feeling of seclusion in the back garden, but a sense of community when you walked out the front door. And using top quality materials to give a luxurious aesthetic was also high on the list of musthaves, adds Karl.

With vertical shiplap weatherboards and bagged brick exteriors, the two-level townhouses have great street appeal. They come with double internal access garages, ample storage space and excellent

“They had to all fit in and talk to each other, and I think they do. Because the whole project has been master planned, it has a cohesive feel to it.”

indoor-outdoor flow via fullyretractable stacking glass doors to a deck and garden.

Careful attention to detail went into designing the kitchens and choosing natural materials like stone benchtops. Strategically placed windows where you’d normally find a splashback allow the cooks to enjoy the outlook to the garden while they’re preparing meals.

The open-plan downstairs area is full of light thanks to the large double-glazed windows and the neutral decor. “We went for a lighter colour palette with these homes, and it is really refreshing,” says Karl.

Upstairs are three bedrooms, including a master suite with a generous walk-in wardrobe. The state-of-the art bathrooms include stunning Italian porcelain tiles. A unique feature of the townhouses is a flexible space on the upper level that could have many uses, from a second living area to home office or media room.

“It gives you the option to use it for whatever purpose suits you best, whether that is watching TV or having an area for the kids,” points out Karl.

Agent Richard Thode of Ray White says the townhouses, which are pet-friendly and due for completion around the end of the year, are a great alternative to apartments.

“They are high-end homes and low maintenance, but you have outdoor space and you don’t have a body corporate — they are all freehold.”

Richard says they’re proving particularly popular with empty nesters wanting to downsize from large family houses to brand-new quality homes in an area they know and love. “They get an exceptional, architect-designed home in a location that is close to beaches, cafes and shops, so there is a lot of interest.”

Sale: Price by negotiation

Contact: Richard Thode, Ray White, 021 338 002