FRIENDLY NEIGHBOURS
Timeless coastal living with an unmatched community vibe is only a short drive away from Auckland, discovers ERIN REILLY.
The Gardens, Kensington Park, Hibiscus Drive, 1-3 1-2 1-2
For relaxed coastal living coupled with timeless design and an incomparable community feel, follow the sun up the coast from Auckland to Kensington Park, Orewa.
Mere minutes from one of the most pristine beaches in Auckland, Kensington Park lives and breathes a relaxed beachy lifestyle.
Yet, what sets this residential development apart from others is the long-term vision that has been created.
One of the first masterplanned communities in New Zealand, Kensington Park features Cape Cod styling across all properties, regardless of the year they were built.
This means homes built 14 years ago look and feel like part of the same design as homes still being planned.
Developer John Sax says Kensington Park was created with one thing in mind: people.
“From the outset, our master plan envisaged a fabulous community,” he says.
“The by-line in the early days was ‘When neighbours become friends’ and we’ve absolutely achieved that because of the way we’ve designed the environment and the surroundings.”
Every part of Kensington Park revolves around the people who live there.
Walkways and cycleways make it easy to get around, while open gardens, parks, and a mix of native and communal fruit trees create a comfortable, lived-in feeling.
An onsite cafe´ , heated indoor pool, fully equipped gym, putting green, and pe´ tanque courts make it easy to meet people and stay active without having to go too far afield.
Kensington Park’s latest offering, The Gardens, takes its name literally.
“We are firm believers that every person who wants a raised vegetable garden should have one,” says Sax.
“The Gardens was designed to include an array of fruit trees that people can pick themselves or drop off to their neighbours.
“There will be an abundance of attractive places for all to visit, for neighbours to gather, share seasonal produce, and for green fingers to show off their skills.”
“There will be an abundance of attractive places for all to visit, for neighbours to gather, share seasonal produce, and for green fingers to show off their skills.”
The Gardens features 48 generous apartments across two separate towers, each with its own main foyer entrance and elevator.
Stylish appliances, tapware, and lighting have been upspec’d from previous construction, and apartments come with expansive balconies so residents can always be connected with the outdoors to enjoy the sense of the space and fresh air.
For Sax, Kensington Park is so much more than a housing
development, it offers a vibrant lifestyle.
“We have had a long-term vision to develop a great place for people,” says Sax.
“When you take a long-term view like that, you do things differently. You care about the legacy that the people who buy here inherit.
“I’m very proud of the Kensington Park community. At the end of the day, it’s people that make the place.”
The Gardens is due to be completed around Christmas 2022, after which future offerings at Kensington Park will be released, including a series of duplexes and townhouses, as well as another stunning apartment block. Sale: Prices start from $962,500 for a one-bedroom apartment; $1,595,000 for two bedrooms; $2,117,500 for three bedrooms; all come with 1-2 carparks. Buyers can secure a property for an initial $10,000 deposit. Contact: Jaimee Durham, Kensington Park, 027 389 2989
“I’m very proud of the Kensington Park community. At the end of the day, it’s people that make the place.”