Fancy a brand new upmarket home in a boutique gated community on the North Shore's east coast that is a short, flat walk to bustling shops, cafes and a glorious beach — but that isn't Takapuna?
Look no further than Mairangi Bay, says Mark Berryman of Esplanade Developments which is building Hastings Lane, a stylish, luxury community of three townhouses and two villas right by a reserve and backing the Mairangi Bay tennis club courts.
There's a bowling club nearby, too. Mark and business partner Tim Buchanan decided on Mairangi Bay after finding their large site and loving the location and convenience.
Though Mairangi Bay is only about 12 minutes from booming Takapuna, the nice thing about the smaller coastal hub is it is not nearly as busy, Mark says.
Other nearby bays include Castor Bay, Campbells Bay, Rothesay Bay and Murrays but none of those have the amenities so Mark and Tim settled on Mairangi Bay "because we felt like it's got a lot going for it".
"It's going to be a highly desired place to live because you've got so much at your fingertips — you don't have to walk up the hill, you've got it all right there."
Mark says Mairangi Bay is a little bit quaint but definitely one of the Shore's hotspots.
One of the nice things about the development is it is next to a reserve and all the homes will have individual paths to the reserve.
Not only can residents go for a stroll there, Mark says, but the reserve means they will have green space outside their windows instead of looking out at houses.
The setting is tranquil with plenty of trees and bush around: "It's quite a secluded off-the-road type setting."
The three townhouses will be at the front of the site and the two villas will be at the back by the tennis courts.
They will all have cedar cladding and multiple decks so residents can get all-day sun, and the three level homes will also feature internal, private lifts.
"They're fitted out really high spec, so they've got granite benches, Bosch appliances, oak flooring."
Mark says all are luxury living and will feature full-height tiles in the bathrooms.
Hastings Lane in Mairangi Bay. Photo / Supplied
The interiors were designed by Auckland interior design firm Yellowfox and the buildings were designed by Tim Ross from Architype, who cleverly maximised the space.
There will be butler's pantries in the kitchens on the middle level, bedrooms will be upstairs and on the lower level will be basements, garages and entranceways, and the townhouses will have a multi-purpose room on this level.
"We're really targeting the 50-plus age group and that's why we've incorporated internal lifts and a lock-up-and-leave type scenario, so low-maintenance," says Mark.
"You don't have a big lawn to deal with and you've got something really nice, that's warm and sunny and it's very secure."
He expects interest will come from downsizers or professionals who want something new that is less work and close to the village — "people who want everything at their fingertips".
Mark and Tim have been in the building industry for some years and are good friends from Dunedin, and Mark is also a passionate Habitat for Humanity volunteer.
He says top of both their lists was the requirement for something boutiquey and special.
Hastings Lane in Mairangi Bay. Photo / Supplied
"There's only five homes in this community so it's not like these other ones (developments) that would have 20 or 50 townhouses — it's quite special like that.
They've got a great aspect in terms of being next to the reserve, a really cool location, a really high quality fit out.
"They have been well thought-out from inception to the finishing details."
There are "cool" rooflines, double-glazed joinery and beautiful landscaping, including around a stream where there will be around 300 square metres of planting.
Rooms are all generous sizes and the master bedrooms have en suites, walk-in wardrobes and individual decks.
Because the community will be gated and secure, the homes would be great for people who want to travel abroad or to go around New Zealand in a campervan.
"They can do that and not have to worry about the house or even have to do any maintenance on the house because it's been designed that way.
"At the same time you've got a far more close-knit community so for people that want that you've got your neighbours next door who you can call upon, so that's cool as well."
