THE BLAKE AT ITS BEST

These architecturally designed apartments are to be built in a quiet location that’s still close to amenities, writes SANDRA GOODWIN.

Developer Greer Stephens of Oslo Group has returned to an old stomping ground with his latest boutique apartment development – The Blake in Three Lamps – designed by architects PB&A.

Potential buyers can easily check out the quality of Greer’s work as these 11 apartments will rise about 20 metres from where he completed Apex Apartments on Prosford Street in 2005.

Greer feels they were a really positive addition to the community.

“I intend The Blake to be a fantastic addition to it too,” he says.

“I grew up in this area, I’ve always lived in it and I know I always want to walk down the street and encounter people who are really happy living in the buildings I’ve been responsible for.

“I come from a family who were Herne Bay and Ponsonby developers in the ‘70s and ‘80s and I have a really strong connection to the area.

“Three Lamps is such a vibrant, special community and The Blake’s location is brilliant, tucked away on a quiet road from where you can walk 30 seconds to enjoy everything on Jervois Road and beyond.

“Many other projects being currently undertaken in this vicinity are on main roads with bedrooms overlooking main arterial routes.

“The Blake will be close to brilliant amenities but its location will make it feel more like a suburban enclave.”

Greer’s track record includes several projects completed with a business partner when he was with developer Urban Collective, including Eden Terrace’s The Citizen and The Dylan on Great North Road.

He’s often worked with architect Paul Brown and is delighted with The Blake’s design, to be realised predominantly in pre-cast concrete panels accented by lots of glass and a powder coated seamed system.

PB&A’s Paul Brown says, “Drawing on the industrial heritage of Ponsonby, using strong raw materials honestly, is at the heart of The Blake’s architecture. This is an enduring and powerful expression of design in a language that will stand the test of time.”

Its 11 residences with parking and ground floor retail will include two good-sized one-bedroom apartments and six two-bedroom apartments on the first two floors. The third floor’s two sub-penthouses will include two generous bedrooms in addition to living and expansive balconies. Topped by the penthouse with 82sqm of outdoor living, all have decks and many enjoy extensive, unobstructed views across the inner west and water beyond.

Greer says exacting, customised design has gone into every apartment to appeal to his primary target market, a maturing local market of empty nester-downsizers.

The Blake’s sales suite at 291 Ponsonby Road showcases decor choices and computer animation and renders which allow potential buyers to effectively walk through an actual apartment.

“Three Lamps is such a vibrant, special community and The Blake’s location is brilliant, tucked away on a quiet road from where you can walk 30 seconds to enjoy everything on Jervois Road and beyond.”

The 15-month build is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2021 or the first quarter of 2022 depending on the pace of Auckland Council’s consent process, for completion by the end of 2022 or in quarter one 2023.

Bayleys agent Paula Halford says, “The Blake has key requirements our clients are looking for. Namely, generous in size, impeccable design and a location which puts you in the heart of Central Auckland.”

Apartments in The Blake at 3-5 Blake Street are marketed with price.

Sale: a one-bedroom from $900,000 including carpark; two-bedroom from $1,400,000 including carpark; subpenthouse and penthouse apartments pricing on request Contact: Paula Halford, Bayleys, 021 705 199