Living the high life at SugarTree
Once viewed purely as an option for young professionals and investors, high-rise apartments are quickly becoming Auckland’s housing method of choice. Linda Miller takes a look at the changing face of apartment owners and the benefits of city living.
Imagine a life free from everyday stresses such as fighting Auckland’s rush hour traffic, mowing the lawns and performing time-consuming maintenance on your home or property.
SugarTree apartments is New Zealand’s first urban community, offering a space where buyers at all stages of their lives can work, play and relax on their own terms, all without having to leave the complex.
“For many years people believed that living in the city meant being surrounded by other high-rise buildings, a difficult to access location, and disorderly and disruptive nightlife,” SugarTree’s managing director Darren Brown says
“Our city fringe location ensures quite the opposite – a much more peaceful and quiet community which is similar in many ways to the suburban life you treasured, but with the city’s hotspots and conveniences all within walking distance.”
People attracted to the apartments so far include those downsizing from a traditional home, security conscious buyers who appreciate SugarTree’s use of CCTV, security patrols and livein building managers, first home buyers and families.
Many families are expats who have experienced the success of apartment living in major international cities like Sydney, New York and Tokyo, where a more compact model is embraced. To meet the needs of buyers with children SugarTree has secured the services of an experienced childcare company, which will be opening in one of the ground floor commercial spaces and rounding out the impressive line-up of boutique shopping, bars, eateries and retail providers.
So far investors account for nearly 50 per cent of SugarTree’s purchases off the plans, with these savvy buyers keen to lock in today’s prices as well as the long-term benefits of buying into a modern complex that attracts working professionals.
“Investors can see SugarTree is the only development of its kind in New Zealand at the moment, with special features such as its rooftop lounge and open green spaces making it a very desirable place to live. They can buy with the confidence that occupation rates will remain high and should they wish to sell, the property will appeal not just to other investors but owner/ occupiers as well,” Darren explains.
The apartments are equally attractive to first home buyers – with many able to access KiwiSaver funds and Welcome Home Loans to put towards their 10 per cent deposit, locking in the current market price and not having to pay another dollar until completion in 2019.
“We really are focused on making it as easy as possible for people to get into Auckland’s booming housing market,” Darren says. “Act now and you could be on the property ladder tomorrow!”