Building new subdivisions with soul
It’s easy to write off residential developments as soulless, but Gill South finds that some are developing a sense of community.
Agrowing number of new housing subdivisions will be coming onstream around the country as house builders and developers work to feed the strong demand for homes.
Some will be done better than others, those in which due consideration is given to the project’s character and community over the long term and residents are given a strong sense of ownership.
You know a subdivision has worked when buyers don’t talk about the suburb’s name, but rather the subdivision.
Tauranga Tremains agent Brent Bastin sees this all the time. Size and scalability of a subdivision is key, he says. ‘‘My number one thing is how you frame the area as you enter the subdivision. Don’t skimp on parks or the width of roads; it’s really important.’’
Strictness around covenants of what homeowners can build is vital, he adds. ‘‘If there’s a clear vision of what look the developer is going for, it dictates what the subdivision is going to look like in 10 to 20 years time,’’ Bastin says.
If done well, everyone wants to live there. The Lakes subdivision in Tauranga, developed by Carrus, has 2081 sections, and is sold out.
It is a lifestyle location with 20 kilometres of walkways, cycleways and footpaths around the lakes, plus it has a commercial hub.
‘‘Prices there have gone through the roof,’’ says Bastin, currently marketing a former show home at The Lakes.
People come there through word of mouth, he says.
Selwyn: The home of subdivisions
Rolleston, not far from Christchurch, is one of the fastest-growing parts of the country.
Hughes Development, known for its work in Northwood and others, is behind Faringdon in Rolleston, a subdivision of 2000 homes built over the past 10 years, with 2000 more planned.
While some might categorise a new residential development as ‘‘soulless or dull’’, director Jake Hughes says he and his team find their residents more engaged in the development and take more pride in their evolving community than if they were moving into an already established suburb.
Faringdon has been designed for a range of age groups and demographics, he says.
‘‘All our residents are essentially in the same boat: They are the founding members of the community and therefore instantly have something in common with each other,’’ he says.
As well as creating a hub of shops and cafes, Faringdon has a community garden, in which it employs a gardener to grow produce for residents, who can also pitch in.
‘‘This creates the opportunity for members of the community to bump into each other and get to know one another,’’ says Hughes.
It’s also about listening to the community and what they want so they remain engaged. It might not be about another playground, but rather something more ageappropriate for the teens.
Hughes is supporting sports teams and events like outdoor movie nights.
‘‘If your community love where they live, they’ll tell their friends and family,’’ says Hughes. ‘‘We often have multiple generations of the same family or groups of friends joining the community.’’
Being able to escape into an oasis in the absolute heart of the city holds an undeniable mystique. But once through the doors of the Heritage Health Club, discreetly located in a historic building in Cathedral Square, members find a lot more than a place to relax and unwind; for many, it is a place of transformation.
Equipped with a lap pool, full gym, spa and sauna – not to mention fluffy towels and the peaceful atmosphere of limited membership – the boutique health club excels at the crossroads of leisure and activity. Open every day from 6am to 10.30pm, it has the reputation of being there when its members need.
The club goes further, however, with the inclusion of highly skilled personal trainers who have a special interest in rehabilitation. Support includes assisting clients to regain strength and movement after an injury or surgery, and providing programmes with a neurological focus. There are also postnatal classes for mothers.
Neurological focus
Personal trainer Syaz Salim has a lot of experience developing exercise regimes for people battling multiple sclerosis or who have had a stroke. He says exercise is one of the best medicines for neurological issues because it can improve short- and long-term physical fitness and functioning.
The environment at Heritage Health Club is ideal, he says. ‘‘The limited membership means there is plenty of room to move around and use equipment without waiting, and you can do light pool exercises on different days, which is very beneficial for recovery.
‘‘I’ve had a number of clients tell me our health club is the best experience they’ve had on their path to rebuilding strength with peace of mind.’’
Rehabilitation
Rhys Morgan, of Rhys Morgan Personal Training, is also based at Heritage Health Club, where he offers his Advanced Injury Rehabilitation Clinic. As one of New Zealand’s most experienced personal trainers, Rhys has worked alongside many of Christchurch’s top medical professionals and is well placed to pick up where physiotherapists leave off. This can involve guiding people through the next phase of rehabilitation after a serious injury or surgery, assisting with ligament or cartilage repair, helping after full knee reconstruction or to improve hip movement. ‘‘It’s all about returning the injured limb or area to full strength and function with specialised training plans to ensure full balance, range of motion and biomechanics,’’ Rhys says.
He has had a lot of success helping clients get back to enjoying everyday life by helping them confidently return to the activities they love, whether that’s running, playing a game of tennis or hiking in the hills.
Postnatal classes
Lexi Mercer, the founder of Lexi Fit, runs small-group classes at Heritage Health Club for mums with babies. She has designed her 30-minute classes to be postnatally safe and a great way for mothers who have recently had a baby to ease back into exercise – or to start their fitness journey. The classes are best suited to mums with babies aged under six months, who want to start slowly but with the option to push themselves when they’re ready. There are limited spaces so bookings are essential. Sessions are held at 9.45am on Tuesdays and Fridays, followed by tea, coffee and a chance to get to know the other parents.
Members of Heritage Health Club choose how they participate at the club, and many simply enjoy the convenience of a workout or swim before or after work. However, the options are there, provided with professionalism in comfortable surrounds.
To give people a taste of what’s available, Heritage Health Club is currently offering a ‘‘Six Week Challenge’’ that includes personal trainer sessions and full use of all facilities.
❚ Heritage Health Club, 28 Cathedral Square, Christchurch. Phone 03 377
2122 or visit heritagehealthclub.co.nz