BOUTIQUE AND BEAUTIFUL
A striking apartment building makes the most of its stunning site, writes DONNA FLEMING
While more of us are being drawn to apartment living these days, one thing many of us are not so keen on is being part of a massive complex.
Architect and developer Greg Boyden recognised that when it came to his latest project, Eleven Paora in Orakei. Rather than trying to squeeze lots of apartments into the corner site, he opted to have fewer dwellings and made sure they are all well- proportioned, whether they’re one, two or three bedrooms.
“I think the key aspect of this building is that it is a boutique building,” he says. “It’s only got 15 apartments so you’ve got a boutique feel and you probably know most of your fellow apartment owners, which makes life easier when it comes to things like body corporates.”
When Greg’s company, BUD Living, found the site on the corner of Paora and and Tautari Streets, they realised that such a great location deserved a standout development.
“What we identified was it needed to be something quite special, because the site is probably one of the better ones if you don’t want to be in the CBD,” says Greg.
Located on Orakei’s eastern ridgeline, with great views of Rangitoto, Devonport and the Coromandel from upper floors, Eleven Paora is in a quiet neighbourhood but handy to the local shops in Coates Ave. It’s also close to restaurants, cafes and the waterfront at Tamaki Drive, and a 10 minute drive to the city centre.
It was vital to Greg that the building was extremely high quality to fit in with the popular area. The design was a collaboration between Peddle Thorp architects, who are renowned for their residential developments, and Greg, who was previously the managing director of Jasmax and worked on projects like Te Papa, Museum of New Zealand and Britomart Train Station before moving into the residential market.
Meticulous attention has been paid to detail both inside and out, resulting in an elegant and bold building that uses materials like architectural terracotta and anodized aluminium fins to create a striking contemporary feel.
One of the points of difference of Eleven Paora is the use of concrete planter boxes on the exterior to host greenery and soften the lines of the building.
These will edge outdoor rooms, which are covered balconies that can be closed off with sliding glass doors if the weather is not great.
Inside, the interiors have been designed by Amelia Holmes, who has spent many years living and working in New York. She’s come up with interiors that combine simple quality and natural materials with refined warmth and elegance.
Top quality materials have been used throughout, including French oak floorboards in the kitchen, dining and living areas and Travertino porcelain tiles in the bathrooms. The kitchens feature honed granite benches and splashbacks, plus Miele appliances.
There are just four apartments still for sale – two one- bedroom ones on the first and second levels; a two bedroom apartment on level five and a large three- bedroom plus media room apartment on level four.
Construction is expected to be completed later this year.
Bayleys agent Trent Quinton says it’s exciting to be involved in selling Eleven Paora because “this particular site is one of the best development sites I have ever had the good fortune to be marketing. It’s an elevated site on a corner and the unitary plan means that you can go up to five levels. Usually you have to be on a main road to do that but this is tucked away in a quiet street.”
For sale: Prices start from $ 1.035m
Contact: Trent Quinton, Bayleys, 021 894 070, Julie Quinton, 021 894 071, Paula Halford, 021 705 199