Lots to like next to the lake

The Rose Garden Development, Albany. 25 Don Mckinnon Drive Albany, Auckland. Photo/Artist illustrations.

ROSE GARDEN APARTMENTS STAGE ONE. 25, DON MCKINNON DRIVE, ALBANY

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ON OFFER: One-bedroom, one-bathroom, 53.5sq m to 55.8sq m plus balcony. • Two-bedroom, one- to two-bathrooms, 74sqm to 82.5sq m plus balcony. • Three-bedroom, two-bathroom, 80.9sqm to 98.5sq m plus balcony. • Four-bedroom, three-bathroom, 104.5sq m to 129.5sq m plus balcony. • All are freehold and have balconies (or courtyard grounds for ground-level apts), and most have studies. Car parks are available to buy.

PRICE GUIDE: • One-bedroom from $399,000. • Two-bedroom from $599,000. • Three-bedroom from $650,000. • Four-bedroom from $808,000.

BODY CORPORATE From $1721 to $4796 a year.

INSPECT: Display suite in Building B, Level 1, 42 Tawa Drive, Albany, 9:30am-4pm or weekends by appointment.

ON THE WEB: nzrosegarden.co.nz

SCHOOL ZONES: Pinehill, Albany, Albany Junior & Senior High schools.

CONTACT: 0800 666 999 or Rob Meister, Harcourts, 021 900 801.

*Car parks are available to buy.

Location, location, location" is key to a $300-million apartment development under construction in the heart of Albany's key amenities.

Designed by Context Architects, Rose Garden Apartments is near the man-made lakes of the Albany Lakes Civic Park. They're being built just across the road from one of New Zealand's largest shopping malls, Westfield Albany, which incorporates a cinema and supermarket.

Duty manager of Rose Garden Developments, Robin Lee, says: "Albany is becoming a popular area of the North Shore. There are a lot of businesses and industries moving to the area.

"There are so many facilities within a five-minute walking circle of this location."

The location is handy to the QBE Stadium (formerly North Harbour Stadium), Massey University's Albany campus and dozens of nearby shops and restaurants. It is two minutes' walk to the Albany Park and Ride bus station, from where it is a 20-minute commute to Auckland's CBD.

The 800-apartment project will spread over 2ha when complete, and is claimed by developers to be the largest residential apartment development of its type in New Zealand. Sales of its apartments are being released in two stages, with the tallest building in the initial release being six levels plus retail.

Robin says pre-sale levels have been strong to date. He says feedback is that although they are not the cheapest apartments around Albany, buyers consider their pricing is competitive given their location and quality.

Image 1 of 9: Shops and entertainment are a stroll from this quality 800-apartment development

Because of the strong financial position of the project's backers, development was able to kick off in October rather than waiting for any pre-sales target.

The first buildings are scheduled for completion around March and April next year.

New Zealand company CMP Construction is the builders. Its varied experience includes residential, commercial and industrial projects, including Takapuna's Maison Apartments and Albany's Settlers Lifestyle Village retirement apartments.

Context Architects' director, Stephen Voyle, says first-stage buildings wrap elegantly around the site's perimeter enveloping a raised central courtyard. The architects have maximised the privacy between apartments by carefully considering the location and "stepping" of balconies.

The multi-level towers are made of pre-cast concrete, with interest added through balconies and louvred side panels.

Freehold apartments are available in configurations from one to four bedrooms, some with dual aspects and others spreading over two levels. All have at least one balcony and sometimes two, unless they are ground-floor apartments which open directly on to private outdoor spaces, some of which will be gently terraced.

Many apartments have studies and there is the opportunity to buy car parking.

The residences' polished kitchens are outfitted with engineered stone benchtops and SMEG appliances. Air conditioning and LED lighting is standard.

As well as living next door to the Albany Lakes Civic Park, residents will have their own communal outdoor space in a central terraced or "podium" courtyard.

A wide, pedestrianised public road with walkways runs through the development. Newly created Lakeside Lane will have a variety of ground-floor convenience and hospitality spaces.

Rose Garden Developments' parent company and major investor is Nanjing Dadi Construction. Established nearly 60 years ago, the Chinese company operates internationally and has done many developments of this scale or larger.

Most suppliers and materials for the development are being sourced locally.