New Auckland apartment block on everyone's lips

Zest's size is not to everyone's taste. Picture / Richard Robinson

Zest was the word on apartment-watchers' lips this week. Not the tangy citrus flavour, or the peel from a lemon, but the largest new Auckland apartment block to have thrust itself on to our streetscape.

"Five ... hundred ... and ... twelve ... units ... can you believe that?" asks an aghast Martin Dunn of City Sales, standing back and gazing up at the bulky tower.

Auckland City rule changes demanding larger units will mean the city never gets another block like Zest again, a critical Dunn predicts.

The sheer volume of that building, the size of its units and its positioning on the city fringe has left many apartment doomsayers shaking their heads.

But Conrad Properties development manager Aaron Tunstall is proud of the the 15-level Multiplex-built block with its choice of one, two and three-bedroom units, all on freehold titles, at 72 Nelson St.

Admiring the waterfront views from the block, Tunstall is smarting somewhat from the media coverage this week.

"It's a little unfair those stories saying Zest is all empty. The only reason it's empty is that we haven't even opened the building. It's completely sold out, it has been for some time, the views are amazing and you even get a good view from level one."

Buyers were expected to settle yesterday.

Conrad is the developer owned by Sydney-domiciled New Zealander Robert Holden. He has specialised around the Nelson/Hobson ridge, bringing the city gems like Altitude, C-Vu, Harvard, Stanford and now Zest.

Just how much tang Conrad's latest offering turns out to have is a matter being closely watched by those of a more sour persuasion.