When you live in a community that looks and feels like a resort, it's like being on holiday all the time.
That's one of the advantages the residents of Kensington Park in Orewa have. The development is not only a few minutes stroll from a great beach, but it has been designed to feel like a tropical resort.
The striking architecture is modelled on homes found alongside beaches in Florida, with the buildings featuring wooden cladding, deep verandas, decorative gables and plantation-style shutters. The immaculate grounds have been landscaped with semi-tropical plants, and there is even a man-made lake.
"It is a unique and distinctive setting, and the residents say it feels like being on holiday year round," says sales and marketing manager Cheryl Whiting. "It not only looks great, but it is a very relaxing place to live."
The 16ha (40 acre) site was a camping ground until 2006, when it was bought by a developer. Three years later it was sold to John Sax of Southpark Corporation, who has continued to turn it into a world-class development. Ideas were gleaned from successful communities in Europe and the United States, and adapted for Kiwi living.
Properties range from apartments through to townhouses and duplexes, as well as standalone homes. New homes are being released to the market all the time, allowing more people the chance to live in a community that is a leading example of a planned neighbourhood built with residents and their needs in mind.
Good traffic flow, outlook, security and privacy were key points, carefully considered when Kensington Park was designed, and have been implemented throughout.
Image 1 of 5: Landscaped grounds, a touch of Florida, and striking architecture make this coastal development a desirable place for anyone to live. Photos / Supplied
Construction is top quality, says Cheryl, with first class fixtures and fittings used in all the dwellings. The homes all have underfloor heating in bathrooms, eco lighting, heat pumps, engineered stone benchtops in the kitchens, high studs in living areas and fibre optic cabling.
"They are all finished to a very high standard, and when you buy one everything is ready for you to move in," says Cheryl.
The homes have all been designed to conserve energy and resources, and also to age beautifully while needing minimal maintenance.
On-site facilities at Kensington Park include a fully-equipped gymnasium, heated indoor pool, a sauna and petanque court. There's a barbecue area next to the lake, a children's playground and vegetable gardens. A central clock tower adds to the sense that Kensington Park is somewhere special.
It's been eight years since the first people moved in and one thing everyone comments on is what a sociable place it is to live in, says Cheryl.
"The residents have pooch parties, Melbourne Cup days, an Easter egg hunt, music in the park -- there's always something going on. There are welcome drinks when new people move in and a monthly mix and mingle. That's one aspect that people particularly seem to enjoy about living here. It's a very friendly place."
The location has also been a huge drawcard. As well as being handy to the beach and next door to a 4ha (10 acre) reserve with extensive bush walks, Kensington Park is within walking distance of the shops and cafes of popular Orewa, with big stores just a short drive away in Silverdale. It is also only 35 minutes from downtown Auckland.
Cheryl says Kensington Park attracts a wide range of residents, from young professionals, through to empty nesters who are downsizing.
"There is something here for everyone, people just don't seem to want to leave."
