The New Zealand housing market has changed a great deal since The Neil Group started building homes in the early 1950s.
Back then, the demand was for fairly simple weatherboard or brick dwellings on a suburban quarter acre section.
Six decades on and The Neil Group is still going strong but, as well as diversifying to construct commercial and retail properties, it has moved with the times to build homes catering for our changing needs.
One of the company's latest projects is Nugent Rise, a six-level apartment building in the prestigious 8 Nugent precinct in Grafton.
Nugent Rise is the final part of the 10-year development, on the site of a former Ministry of Education office and hostel.
It includes offices, showrooms, cafes, shops, the Body Tech gym, as well as apartments.
Originally slated to be an office building, two years ago Neil decided to build apartments instead.
James Rigg, who is the commercial manager of The Neil Group, says: "There was a demand from the market for more apartments, so we changed the resource consent.
"A lot more people are starting to get their heads around apartment living and are looking for quality apartments in really good locations."
The fact that 84 of the 92 apartments in Nugent Rise sold in three months last year just goes to show how great that demand is. The final eight apartments have been released and are expected to sell quickly.
As well as having so much on site, one of the main drawcards is the location. Nugent St is close to the University of Auckland, Auckland Hospital, Newmarket and Mt Eden.
It's a quick trip into the city by car or public transport - the Grafton train station is a short walk away - and there's easy access to the motorway.
Dozens of great eateries and bars are just a stroll away, from The French Cafe and Kazuya in Symonds St through to the Horse and Trap and Galbraith's Ale House in Mt Eden. Fine food retailer Sabato is just around the corner.
When it comes to great parks, Mt Eden reserve and the Auckland Domain are handy.
Grafton and nearby Newton have definitely upped their game in the last few years, with older buildings being regenerated and stylish new ones going up all around 8 Nugent.
"It's still a bit of an under-rated area at the moment," says James. "A lot of people drive through it and probably don't realise what's here. It's worth stopping for a look."
Having the gym, which includes a 20m lap pool, just across the landscaped plaza is also a bonus.
"It means not having to look for a car park when you go to the gym."
"Though there is a lot within walking distance, and public transport is very good, not everyone can do without a car."
The apartments feature crisp, contemporary design by Swan Railley Architects. Generous decks with sliding glass doors create an extra room that can be used year-round.
Full-height, double-glazed windows allow the light in while keeping the cold out, while all apartments have heat pumps.
High-quality materials have been used throughout, including Caesarstone benchtops and solid oak floors in the kitchens, and Italian tiles and frameless Atlantis glass tiled showers in the bathrooms.
Each apartment has a complete Bosch appliance package and high-speed fibre.
James says Nugent Rise is attracting a range of buyers, from single owners and professional couples through to families and down-sizers. "It's going to be a great community to live in, with a real mix of people."
Another bonus of Nugent Rise is that construction is under way, and scheduled to be completed by April 2018.
