ON OFFER:
Boutique five-level apartment block designed by Paul Brown Architects with 16 freehold 2-bedroom apartments and one commercial premise. There are eastern views to the city skyline or western views over Kingsland towards Western Springs and the Waitakere ranges. All with recessed balconies, ground floor parking, 2.6-metre stud, floor-to-ceiling glazing, lockers and shared lobby.
PRICE INDICATION:
$797,500 to $1,097,500.
INSPECT:
Display suite on site 1pm to 2pm Sat/Sun or by appointment.
SCHOOL ZONES:
Newton Central School, Kowhai Intermediate, MAGs.
CONTACT:
Nigel King and Carl Watkins, Apartmint, 021 055 2355 (Nigel) or 021 424 736 (Carl)
The vivacious city-fringe community of Kingsland has been through a dry spell for apartment building but it's getting a new boutique apartment block in its midst.
Cary Bowkett, development manager from Southside Group, says: "There hasn't been a significant multi-storey apartment development built in Kingsland for nine years now.
"When you look at the suburb it's an ideal location for one because you're out of the madness of the inner city but you've still got all the amenities."
Nixon Central is named both for its Central Rd address, a block east of Bond St and just over a block from Kingsland's main strip, and its sprawling street-mate Nixon Park.
"I think apartment living is at its best when it is close to a big patch of green like Nixon Park," says Cary.
As well as being close to Kingsland's mix of eateries, bars and shops it'll be within 500 metres of Eden Park. It is 200-metres from the train station, by a main bus route and there's access to the Western Cycleway at the bottom of Central Road.
"Our marketing kicked off with six apartment sales in the first week."
The five-storey building designed by Paul Brown Architects will house 16 two-bedroom apartments across four levels above a street-level lobby, locker room and commercial premise.
"The development's boutique nature will create a small community where you're more likely to know and respect your neighbours," says Cary. "Plus management of body corporate is easier than in a large complex."
He had been scouting for the right city-fringe location. Up until recently Number Eight had an old dwelling and a rear bunker-type building, reputedly built as a refuge against Japanese war-time invasion.
"Unless you can find a corner site you really want one with east-west orientation like this to avoid dark south-facing apartments.
"All the units have views which can't be built out in future.
"The eastern-facing decks, living area-kitchens and master bedrooms will look out to the city skyline. The western-facing ones will look out over Kingsland's mix of character homes and greenery towards Western Springs and the Waitakere Ranges."
Image 1 of 7: Long overlooked by apartment developers, Kingsland is about to get something very special.
The street is about to be reinvigorated as a neighbouring property will be reinvented as nearly sold-out Atelier Kingsland. Cary says his development's orientation, levels and design mean its outlooks won't be affected by the neighbouring mix of converted factory loft apartments and new townhouses.
Nixon Central's facade mixes sculptural concrete precast panels, metal clad panels, timber and metal screens. Balconies featuring cedar walls and soffits will be recessed for year-round use and joinery will be black powder-coated aluminium.
Probably the most striking exterior element is the way the textured white pre-cast concrete panels form a continuous line snaking up the building helping break up its mass.
Project architect Rochelle Mahon is not long back from doing high-end residential work in London. Cary is impressed by her clean interior layouts, avoiding compromises such as unsightly bulkheads.
Floor-to-ceiling glazing complements the 2.6-metre stud height. French oak timber flooring, matt black sinkware and tapware, stone benches, heated bathroom floors and full-height timber wardrobes. Air-conditioning is optional.
Cary says pricing is helped by having secure ground floor parking rather than costly basement excavation. Prices include one car-park per apartment with extras currently allocated for upper-floor apartments' purchase.
Nixon Central's timeline estimates building starting this May-June for completion 12 to 13 months later. Southside's many past projects span residential and commercial including Te Atatu's Bella Vista low-rise apartments and a high-rise city apartment tower at 96 Symonds Street.
