The old railway land at the bottom of Parnell is being quietly transformed, and the only surprising aspect is that it has taken so long.
Less than 10 minutes walk in various directions takes you to Queen St, the harbour, Auckland Domain, Parnell or Tamaki Drive. One of the new developments now being marketed at The Strand is Quay Park Terraces (pictured right), due for completion mid-2000. This is the third stage of Melview Developments’ residential project The Strand, says Nigel McKenna, its managing director.
Stage one should be finished in February and the second stage two months later, he says. The first two stages are completely sold and only about 15 of the 41 homes in stage three are still available.
Quay Park Terraces has been designed by Brent Hulena Architects, with interiors by Martin Hughes Interior Architects. The exteriors are a combination of plaster and dark-stained cedar weatherboards. Stainless steel appliances and the bold-but-neutral colour palette will suit true inner-city living styles, Mr McKenna says.
He says around 70 per cent of the homes have been bought by owner-occupiers. Initially it was expected that the development would attract younger first-home buyers, but in fact the majority are couples in their 30s who are quite well established. For some buyers, Quay Park Terraces will complement another home out of town.
Others may be trading up form a suburban home to a more urban lifestyle. Mr McKenna says stage three buyers are benefiting from comments made during the marketing of the first two stages.
Buyers are asking for two bed-rooms, with a third bedroom that will double as a study. They also want a living area that opens directly to the outside, to maximize indoor/outdoor living. And, surprisingly, given the proximity to the CBD, two-car garaging is a must.
