COLOUR ME GOOD
The success of Ockham Residential’s latest apartment project in Onehunga has the developers tickled pink.
Construction is complete and settlement expected imminently at Manaaki, Ockham Residential’s latest development in Onehunga.
Perfectly complementing Auckland’s vibrant central suburb, and bursting with playful pastel hues of pink, apricot, lemon, sky blue and sage green, 210 apartments are spread across four buildings.
These are interlaced with lush, subtropical gardens and envelop a central hub for swimming, socialising, entertaining al fresco and getting to know neighbours.
Ockham’s head of architecture, Tania Wong says, the emphasis on shared amenity is an Ockham trademark.
“We’ve made that the focus so residents can form a community. That’s why we’ve got the large resident’s lounge in the centre of the development on the ground floor, as well as the really nice pool area.”
The team also took onboard lessons from a post-pandemic way of working.
“We created work-fromhome spaces on the ground floor of each building so you can take your laptop down there if you want a break from your apartment,” Wong says.
The in-house cafe is another great spot to meet friends or grab a morning coffee.
The distinctive colour palette? “We wanted to design something light and happy,” she explains.
“Because it’s a large-scale development we thought it needed something lighter and brighter, so we looked at Napier and the colours of the art deco buildings there.
“We chose a certain number of colours and worked with our collaborators Midland Brick to get the shades perfect.”
A nod to the history of the land is also incorporated in the overall design, says Wong.
“Previously on the site there were four buildings owned by the Housing Corporation and then transferred to Housing New Zealand. These were the Star Flats, built in the 1960s.
“So you’ll find brick patterning in the shape of a star throughout – a homage – in the paving, in the pool, in the landscaping and on all the parapets.”
Sales team leader Joss Lewis says that only a fifth of the apartments – 43 in all – remain for sale.
“We’ve got just one onebedroom apartment left, the rest are two and three bedrooms.”
Each of these remaining freehold homes come with an allocated, secure undercover car park and a storage locker. There are also EV charging options available, as well as a huge bike garage complete with power points for e-bikes and bicycle maintenance station.
Seventy-two per cent of sales so far at Manaaki are to firsthome buyers, a statistic that means the average buyer is younger than at other Ockham projects.
The result, Lewis says, is a multi-generational community.
“Because of the size of the development, there’s a lot of diversity; we’ve also got some more mature people – elder statespersons, if you will – who have downsized from bigger homes,” she says. “We also have some apartment upsizers.
“I have one couple who bought a one-bedroom apartment from us at one of our other developments and now have two children, so they’ve bought a three-bedroom apartment here.
“I’m doing pre-settlement inspections at the moment with buyers and everyone’s saying the quality of the build is so good and it’s also so faithful to the original renders and model and how it was designed – the team have done an amazing job of bringing it to life exactly as we imagined it.”
Apartments are typically Ockham – think stylish, flooded with natural light and carefully considered for the ultimate in easy, modern, low-maintenance living.
Some also enjoy views of the Manukau Harbour, One Tree
Hill and Jordan Park from their balconies. The neighbourhood is close to Onehunga Mall and the great retail shrine, Dress Smart, as well as One Tree Hill and Onehunga Train Station.
“Being next to Jordan Park has also been quite a big drawcard, especially for people who have pets,” adds Lewis.
“We’re pet-friendly and have quite a few people with cats or small dogs. It’s super handy because they can walk down through the pathways and into the park.”
Another notable feature, Wong says, is that this is Ockham’s fourth partnership with Marutu¯ a¯ hu Iwi.
“Paul Majurey (iwi leader, experienced governor and nationally recognised environmental and Treaty lawyer) actually named the project Manaaki,” she says.
“It means to support, give hospitality and show respect and generosity to others.”
This aligns neatly with Ockham’s ethos and vision for reimagining urban communities in Auckland.
As co-founder Mark Todd puts it, Ockham aspires to “make beautiful buildings that people love to live in, homes that honour this dynamic Pacific city, stand the test of time, inspire others – and bring an awesome Auckland lifestyle to as many people and communities as we can.”
Sale: One-bedroom apartment from $670,000; two bedrooms from $790,000; three bedrooms from $895,000; available now
Contact: Joss Lewis, Ockham Residential, 021 245 5155
“Being next to Jordan Park has also been quite a big drawcard, especially for people who have pets.”
- This content was created in partnership with Ockham Residential.