SCHOOL ZONES:
Western Springs College, Auckland Girls’ Grammar, Freemans Bay School, Ponsonby Intermediate.
CONTACT:
0800 227 377
A collection of decaying buildings that once housed fashion label Thornton Hall, on Union St, at the edge of the CBD is now a townhouse and apartment development with city skyline and harbour views.
Developer Farhad Moinfar of Myland Partners is passionate about the project, done with award-winning Fearon Hay's Jeff Fearon and Tim Hay as master planners, in conjunction with Peddle Thorp Architects.
"The site had consent for more than 250 dwellings, but we chose to limit it to 150 and make it a mixture of terraced townhouses and apartments," says Farhad.
"Reduced density allows us to offer better quality.
"We see our demographic as being a combination of first homebuyers, perhaps with some help from their parents or KiwiSaver, and urban professionals in their 30s and 40s.
"Then there are empty nesters at retirement age, looking for something they can lock up and leave. We hope Union Green will also appeal to families who are attracted to good schools in the area."
Farhad points out that life in Auckland is changing as fewer people can afford the "quarter acre paradise" that was once taken for granted.
"We're close to some great parks here so owners can have the best of all worlds."
"We wanted to bring the opportunity of having a personal planted landscape to elevated living situations, where before it was generally confined to ground-floor structures," says Tim Hay.
Karaka and jacaranda trees form part of the extensive landscaping plan, by Natural Habitats, which will see leafy spaces for residents to mingle and relax in. Planters filled with native grass outside each unit will also help ensure that owners are never far from nature.
Image 1 of 4: Even in the sky you can enjoy a little garden
Apartments in "The Rise" and townhouses in "The Terraces" will all enjoy views through enormous sliding windows that can be opened for the much-loved indoor-outdoor flow.
Buyers can choose from three basic interior design schemes, developed by Amelia Holmes.
Nordic, Per Se, and Park Row all share an earthy, almost industrial feel with exposed concrete, wooden floorboards and granite benchtops among the most popular choices with potential owners.
"We aim to offer classic decor that won't date," says Farhad.
Apartments start around the $425,000 mark and the terraced homes range from $650,000 to the early millions. Prospective owners can opt for one-, two- or three-bedroom layouts, with some offering a home office or study.
"The villas you can see over on the hill at St Mary's Bay are going for huge prices," says Farhad.
"By buying into a project like this, you can enjoy many of the same benefits for much less."
And indeed, it's the convenience of modern city living that makes up a huge part of Union Green's appeal, with a supermarket just five minutes' walk away and trendy restaurants and cafes to choose from.
The bohemian streets of Ponsonby and Freemans Bay are practically on the doorstep, or residents can enjoy the cosmopolitan buzz of Queen St, or the edgy vibe of Britomart in the opposite direction.
Bustling Drake and Sale Streets are also just around the corner, along with the newly refurbished Victoria Park Market.
