Mount Albert, just 30 minutes by train from Auckland’s city centre, is becoming increasingly attractive to home buyers who appreciate its green parks, vibrant village centre, excellent schools and sports facilities.
Many original homes from the 1920s and 1930s are still standing - and celebrated. So that’s what inspired architect James McCondach from Gravitas Consulting in Christchurch to design ten modern terraced townhouses, Allendale Terraces, in the villa style, with typical gable end features, plus the traditional corrugated iron roof and weatherboard walls, along with exposed brick.
He says the changing face of life in New Zealand was another factor he considered carefully, bearing in mind that families are smaller these days, young couples live together for longer before having babies and older couples or singles often want to downsize for a lock up and leave lifestyle.
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“The modern villa has a welcoming feel and it connects neatly with the street, while owners can still enjoy privacy,” he says.
McCondach’s associate, Tyne Stimpson, who also worked on the project as an architectural designer, says that he too enjoyed the challenge of updating a classic concept.
“We’ve included a higher than usual stud, which adds to a sense of space and we’ve thought through the interiors very carefully, keeping the bedrooms and living area separate. And of course there’s the garden, which New Zealanders still prefer to a balcony on a city high-rise complex.
Good quality materials are set to be used throughout in constructing the new townhouses, and the kitchens will be well equipped with Fisher and Paykel appliances, attractive cabinetry and an engineered stone bench top.
Each townhouse has two bathrooms, one of which can be accessed from a bedroom as well as from the main hallway, for extra convenience. Continuous gas hot water systems are included to ensure a constant flow of hot water.
Double-glazed windows and LED lighting will keep the homes energy efficient, and the laundry is cleverly tucked away in a cupboard. With acoustically soundproofed party walls, noise from neighbours is unlikely to be a problem
The property has a number of well-established trees, which is an added bonus for purchasers, and each townhouse has its own uncovered carpark.
Trent and Julie Quinton of Bayleys are marketing the property, along with colleague Ellis Prince.
“This a product we really like because it’s in the desirable Mount Albert golden triangle, in a lovely leafy street and the terraced townhouses are well-priced – in line with the current market starting at around the $795,000 mark,” says Trent Quinton.
He adds that the Auckland unitary plan is providing more scope for developers on similar sites, and he is pleased that in this case, they are planning properties that are sympathetic with the current heritage and flavour of the neighbourhood.
Find out more about Allendale Terraces
