Hundreds of people dream of a home that conforms to sylvan surroundings, state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, great neighbours, proximity to commercial districts, and most important of all safety and security.
But most of them reconcile to something else, either because of a lack of availability of such homes or because of their unaffordability or both.
Not any more, at least, not for the discerning and decisive.
A new set of three Apartment buildings, assigned for development on a plot of land that stretches from Union Street to Nelson Street in the heart of the Central Business District in Auckland City will not only change your perception of modern living and make your dream home come alive but also change the face of the City itself. Indeed, the country’s largest City will never look the same as the three phases of development of this property is completed over the next two years or so.
SugarTree, as it is called, is being developed in three stages, the first of which, accounting for 148 apartments facing Union Street, the Harbour and the City, will be ready by the end of the year.
Project Director Darren Brown said that the 8000 Sq meters apartment development focuses on all the ingredients essential to create a genuine community of residents within the CBD.
“High quality design mixed with spacious green spaces and retail offerings allowing residents to live, work, socialize and entertain – and stay in touch with nature- all in the very center of the City,” he said.
Cost Factor
The fact that more than 90% of the First Stage ‘Prima’ Apartments have been sold indicates the high demand for quality homes. It is understood that only one Studio and 16 two bedroom (with two bathrooms) apartments are available. The cost of Studio Apartments starts at $309,500, One Bedroom from $315,000, Two Bedroom from $489,000 and Three Bedroom from $699,000.
Cento Stage
The second stage of development, called, ‘Cento,’ will comprise 220 apartments of one, two and three-bedrooms, with the top level complimented with eight one and two-level luxurious penthouses, some of them with 270 degree city views.
Mr Brown said that the final stage, called, ‘Altro,’ will account for 195 one, two and three bedroom apartments, scheduled for completion by 2016.
“SugarTree residents will have exclusive access to our bar/café roof top garden making it an ideal social hub. The development provides urban living close to the City Centre at prices attractive to those who find Grey Lynn, Ponsonby or Freemans Bay out of their reach and seek an affordable inner city alternative,” Mr Brown said.
Traditional housing close to the City Centre is now out of the reach of many first home buyers and hence an apartment community such as SugarTree is an exciting and viable alternative, he added.
Community living
In addition to the Apartments, SugarTree will feature commercial spaces at the ground level, which will include cafes, restaurants, boutique wine bars, delis and retail outlets.
Mr Brown and his team have put in place an innovative retail master plan to ensure that a sustainable balance is maintained for residents and retail tenants.
“This will create natural meeting places, shops and eateries for the residents. With more than 700 residents, and a large number of visitors to the cafes and restaurants, the complex will buzz with life,” Mr Brown said.
He said that outdoor space would hold the key to the community concept. The design emphasises shared green spaces, with water features, sculptures and ultimately a 12th floor rooftop garden.
According to him, residents will be able to socialise here, as well as in the ground floor cafes and bars, so that the entire SugarTree complex will function like a vertical village including your pets with pet friendly units available.
“It really is a community. Many inner-city apartment buildings are just a box, with no avenue to socialise. SugarTree will have common areas and spaces where people can hang out, meet their neighbours and entertain their friends. Younger people, deciding to work in city, cannot afford to live in central suburbs, but still want a property somewhere that they can proudly call their home. So this is inner-city living with a village feeling,” he said.
Target Market
SugarTree Apartments focus on owner-occupation. A visit to the site (at 145 Nelson Street) where the company has created a ‘real apartment’ in a ‘real courtyard’ and ‘real garden setting’ will bear testimony to the exquisite taste and an eye for details that epitomise the property development.
“Most apartments include large balconies that offer expansive views of the harbour. Among these potential buyers are a younger group both singles and couples who have lived in apartments either here or overseas and want to be close to town but cannot afford the inner city western suburbs prices” Mr Brown said.
Auckland Plan
SugarTree could be the perfect example of one of the most important aspects of the ‘Auckland Plan.’ As Mayor Len Brown said while promoting the Plan, “The creation of a quality, compact city which protects our natural and built environment while catering for that population growth is a key part of the Auckland Plan, and any development that embraces that should be welcomed.”
Showroom hours
The Showroom is open from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 pm to 430 pm at 145 Nelson Street with free parking.
For further information, please contact Lara Thompson on 022-6393028 or Chanel on 021-517288. Emails: Lara@sugartree.co.nz; chanel@sugartree.co.nz; Website: www.sugartree.co.nz
