Property Report: Sea and city views from new apartments

Artist's impression of the St Marks community. Construction starts next month.

With 45 per cent of his Remuera development's apartments under contract, prominent breast surgeon John Harman has bought a neighbouring property to enhance arrival and boost views.

He's creating the St Marks community of 60 apartments in three luxurious apartment buildings. The Mac, The Mark and The Grove will be organised around a central plaza featuring a large living wall. Hip Group will run the ground floor cafe-restaurant and separate deli plus residents' concierge service.

Marketing started last October for apartments to be built on the site which has served Harman's patients for decades.

"Three of the four luxurious penthouse suites and 45 per cent of all apartments are under contract." says Harman.

"I already owned the site and seeing things are going so well I bought a property next door enabling us to put the entrance on Macmurray Rd. This will give St Marks a sense of arrival and create extra light and a view shaft for The Grove.

"We've got a large plot of land with three road frontages, great light and few neighbours."

Harman attributes sales velocity to the location, apartments' size, sunniness and luxury of design.

Upper levels have sea and city views. All outlooks have been considered, including green suburban Macmurray Rd, Mt Hobson, the central courtyard and the green wall.

Patterson Associates did the double Grammar-zoned development's concept design with project design by Peddle Thorp. Dominion Constructors will build predominantly in concrete, steel and glass accented by brass-gold aluminium fins and softened by Natural Habitats' landscaping.

Remuera locals have been positive about the premium six-floor buildings to come served by 150 secure basement car parks.

Buyers including downsizers, medical specialists, a New York family and former CBD-dwellers have signed up for apartments with 2.9m studs, Miele appliances, air-conditioning and outdoor rooms.

Reconfiguring The Grove to 33 apartments to meet market demand for some lower price points has attracted younger professionals and families. The pet-friendly policy has also been a popular selling point.

Harman is purchasing two upper floor Grove apartments "to create a striking penthouse for my own family to live in."

Amelia Holmes interior design gives each building its own identity. The Mark's 10 north-west homes will have natural stone flooring, parquet oak in The Mac's 17 north-east residences and blonded oak for The Grove's floors.

Harman says computerised modelling indicates 90 per cent of the apartments will have the same noise level as on a quiet country road. "This is because of the solidity of the concrete, having double glazing with hush glass and the green wall absorbing noise."

Construction is scheduled to start next month and be completed in the last quarter of 2017.