News

Axis release by Classic Builders

Sep 14 2018 Axis Series

Classic Builders has released the following Axis homes in the Hudson precinct:

6 x 1 bed apartments at $450,000 each

1 x 1 bed apartment at $500,000

8 x 2 bed apartments at $550,000 each

1 x 2 bed terrace home at $571,000

2 x 3 bed terrace home at $650,000 each

Please visit www.axisseries.co.nz/how-to-buy/ for more information on the purchasing criteria and how to enter a ballot.

Entries for the ballot close at 4pm Wednesday, 3rd October 2018, with the ballot being held on Thursday, 4th October 2018. 

To learn more about these homes please visit the Classic Builders showhome at Liquidambar Drive or contact:

Lorraine Oates - lorraine.oates@classicbuilders.co.nz, 021 906 484 or 

Sue Hetherington - sue.hetherington@classicbuilders.co.nz, 021 837 602

Plots to Love at Community Garden

Sep 14 2018 Community

A growing green space has put down roots in Hobsonville Point Park with the opening of the Catalina Community Garden.

Located on Buckley Ave alongside the Waterford on Hobsonville Point retirement village, stage one of the shared garden includes 29 plots, a composting area and a communal herb bed and fruit trees. Plots are available for Hobsonville Point residents and families to grow fresh vegetables while the herbs and fruit are there for all to use and enjoy.

“The vision of the garden is to enhance the Point’s sense of community and create a vibrant social space that everyone can enjoy,” says Bridgette Gillham of the garden committee. “We really want it to be a usable place where people can indulge their love of gardening while sharing resources, knowledge and fun together.

“And of course, it gives residents more options for gardening beyond their backyards in order to enjoy the delicious taste of fresh vegetables taken straight from the ground to the plate.”

The garden is underpinned by an ethos of sustainability and environmental best practice, meaning that composting, organic fertilizers and pest control ensure it is a safe space for people, plants and the planet alike.

And there are big plans for the facility’s future which could include a barbeque and seating area, a shed with shared tools, a potting table and some shade for seedlings in addition to more plots. In time, the vision is for a designated area where people can help themselves to excess produce shared by plot-holders.  It is also hoped the garden will one day host workshops and demonstrations, with The Compost Collective, the Hobsonville Herb Group and the Kaipatiki Project already lending the initiative their support.

The garden has been funded by Waterford on Hobsonville Point, the Upper Harbour Local Board and HLC. Kathleen Waldock of HLC says it’s great to see it established.

“Sheer determination has got it through and the committee has put so much work into it, not just for themselves but for the whole community.”

For more information, email catalinacommunitygarden@gmail.com.

Approaching the Halfway Point

Sep 14 2018 Development

The provision of public spaces is keeping pace with residential construction as Hobsonville Point continues to grow in size.

Seven years on from the completion of the very first house in 2011, Hobsonville Point is now home to 1500 dwellings with a further 650 under construction. With about 4500 planned in total for the township, construction of which is scheduled to finish around 2024, development of the area is nearing halfway.

“There are certainly plenty of options available no matter what you’re looking for in your new home,” says Caroline McDowall, the Precinct Director of HLC which is leading the Point’s development. “From apartments, terraced houses and duplexes right through to standalone homes, the township is definitely emerging as a vibrant and varied place to live.”

And it’s a place that is increasingly punctuated with a growing range of public spaces and amenities, delighting those who call the Point home as well as visitors from further afield.

One of the key attractions is Hobsonville Point’s coastal walkway, a ring route that hugs the shore and is peppered with points of interest. The majority of the walkway, including a stunning over-water boardwalk, is already open and the remaining section should be ready for use by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Catalina Bay now boasts Fabric Café Bistro and the Catalina Bay Farmers Market, with boutique micro-brewery Little Creatures expected to open in the bay’s Sunderland Hangar in early 2019. Work also continues on the Sunderland Lounge which, once restored, will be available for hire as a community space alongside the recently refurbished Headquarters Building known as The Hub.

“When it started, Hobsonville Point was pushing the boundaries of density at the time but the Unitary Plan has been enabling alongside a shift in people’s understanding of master-planned communities,” says Caroline. “As Hobsonville Point is showing, when they’re master-planned with the appropriate level of amenity, then they really are successful. Seven years on I think we can say that the Point delivers above and beyond the expectations of those early days.”

A Family Affair

Sep 14 2018 Development

Hobsonville Point’s latest eatery, Fabric, has made itself at home as has the family behind the fare.

But it’s a new beginning that almost didn’t happen, says Melissa Shore, who owns and operates the new café bistro in Hobsonville Point’s Catalina Bay with husband Luke.

The couple and their family lived in Auckland’s Stonefields when they heard about the unique waterfront dining opportunity awaiting development at the Point. But with two young kids in tow there were no plans to open a restaurant and in fact the Shores, who have extensive hospitality backgrounds, had ruled it out of their future.

“But then we saw the site,” recalls Melissa. “And straight away, we knew it was something we believed in. We realised that this was an opportunity to do something incredible for our family.”

After a furious few days pulling together a business case, the couple pitched their ideas to Catalina Bay developers, Willis Bond & Co, who shared the exciting vision for the seaside location.

As plans for Fabric progressed, the couple sold their house and moved their family to Hobsonville Point, cementing their connection to their new community.

“We genuinely love it,” says Melissa of the area the Shores now call home. “The community spirit and feel, and the way everyone comes together and identifies as Hobsonville Point people, is really wonderful. I’ve never lived anywhere with this kind of vibe before. Luke grew up in a place where he knew everyone on the street and I think it’s really nice for him to be here with that kind of feel too.”

And just as the Shores have had a warm welcome from their new neighbours, so too Fabric is proving popular since its June 14 opening. Not only is it garnering a growing group of regulars, the latest addition to Auckland’s restaurant scene is also attracting attention from further afield.

Unusually the concept for the family-friendly eatery has been developed in response to its location, nestled alongside the calm reaches of the Upper Harbour and enjoying spectacular sea views. For those willing to leave the relaxing and attractive interior, a sun-drenched deck extends over the water offering diners a rare opportunity to enjoy the natural environment alongside their meal.

The menu, meanwhile, has been developed by chef Kei Suzaki whose illustrious CV includes stints at Ostro and Queenstown’s Rata.

“He has a strong identity of what he wants to cook and he’s worked with an Executive Chef in his most recent role so I was happy trusting him and giving him autonomy,” Melissa says. “He’s brilliant - we’re so lucky to have him.”

Alongside a mouth-watering meal, a visit to Fabric also opens up other possibilities with the boardwalk section of Hobsonville Point’s coastal walkway lying literally at Fabric’s doorstep and the bustling Catalina Bay Farmers Market just a few doors down on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

“It’s a little destination tucked in a quiet corner of Auckland and you can easily spend the morning down here,” says Melissa. “Those that have tell us that they’ve found Fabric to be just what they wanted in the area. People really are loving it and it’s turning out exactly how we hoped.”

For more information, visit www.fabriccafebistro.co.nz.

More Market On Offer

Sep 14 2018 Community

Delicious delights and artisan produce will soon be even easier to enjoy at the Catalina Bay Farmers Market.

The market, now situated in its permanent home in Catalina Bay, boasts 28 stallholders offering a superb selection of food, produce and gifts. Be it food to enjoy on the spot or savour later, the market showcases the best and freshest on offer by stallholders who are each devoted to their craft.

And it’s a recipe for success, with large crowds enjoying the atmosphere and food on offer at the recent mid-winter market in late July.

Hot on the heels of this popular event, the market is now gearing up to extend its hours and introduce a regular night market.

“Starting on September 20 and continuing on the third Thursday of every month through summer and autumn, we’ll be offering a night market from 4pm to 9pm,” says Market Manager, Greg Torchia. “These night markets will be big family and community events showcasing our regular stallholders and a collaboration of various food vendors with a bouncy castle and face painting for the kids, and a pop-up bar from Little Creatures for the adults. Between the live music and what’s on offer, there’ll be a little bit of everything to enjoy in a vibrant and buzzing atmosphere.”

Come September 7, the market is also extending its Friday opening hours from 11am to 7pm, alongside the usual weekend hours of 8:30am to 2pm.

“Our stallholders are really committed to bringing the best and freshest produce that they can to the market. So now there are even more opportunities to come down, meet the faces behind the food and source fresh vegetables, milk, cheese, meat and more for the week,” says Greg.

For more information and market updates, check out the Catalina Bay Farmers Market website.

Introducing Bernoulli Gardens – Hobsonville Point’s latest residential development

Sep 11 2018 Development

Bernoulli Gardens by Ockham Residential consists of 120 apartments across five well appointed apartment buildings. At its official opening on Tuesday 4th September, words like ‘transformative’, ‘innovative’ and ‘contemporary’ were used to describe Hobsonville Point’s most recent development - and it’s not hard to see why.

A 1,200m2 landscaped garden sits at the heart of Bernoulli Gardens, interwoven with pathways and achieve a sense of interconnectedness and community. Ockham Residential co-founder Mark Todd explains that while the site has three times as many homes on it than the average site of this size, he and co-founder Ben Preston have retained "twice as much green space as similar projects – and all at two thirds of the price of the average new build in Auckland."

The façades are made from handmade German brick, and are curved around the edges, inspired by the classic London warehouse loft-style buildings whilst simultaneously paying tribute to the historic aircraft hangars and brick factories that are both features of Hobsonville Point’s history.

Hobsonville’s aviation history is also the development’s namesake. Daniel Bernoulli was an 18th century mathematician and physicist who discovered the Bernoulli equations which govern flight.

Of course, practicalities informed the design too. Ockham follow a ‘best practice housing’ protocol to construct homes from durable, low-maintenance materials that age well and improve the local environment.

Each home has a generous 2.7 metre stud, equipped with double glazing and concrete mid-floors. The apartments include LED lighting, heat pumps; and engineered stone bench tops, Smeg appliances and soft close drawers for the kitchen. The bathrooms feature porcelain floor and wall tiles, heated towel rails and New Zealand-made vanities.

Apartment sizes range from 55 square metres to 99 square metres, each with their own private balcony. Secure car parks, located underground to free up green space and other common areas, are available for purchase with all apartments. All owners get to enjoy a north-facing residents’ lounge that spills out over the central garden.

One bedroom apartments are priced from $525,000, two bedrooms from $650,000, and three bedrooms from $765,000.

For apartment viewings, head to the central gardens entrance from Sidney Wallingford Way, Hobsonville Point, every Sunday between 11 and 12pm, or call 09 378 8011 to make an appointment.

Or see www.ockham.co.nz/bernoulli-gardens for more information.

Universal Axis release in Buckley B

Aug 9 2018 Axis Series

Universal Homes is releasing the following terraced homes in superlot BB9, Buckley B precinct:

6 x 2 bedroom homes priced at $600,000 each and 3 x 3 bedroom priced at $650,000 each.

Please visit www.axisseries.co.nz/how-to-buy/ for more information on the purchasing criteria and how to enter a ballot.

Entries for the ballot close 4pm Wednesday 22 August 2018, with the ballot being held on Wednesday 23 August 2018.

To learn more about these homes please visit the Universal Homes showhomes at Hobsonville Point or contact:

Lisa Fleming – lisaf@universal.co.nz; 021 679 674

Steve Lindsay – stevel@universal.co.nz; 021 963 978

Shelley Clark – shelleyc@universal.co.nz; 021 896 987

Jalcon Homes Axis Release

Jul 19 2018 Axis Series

Jalcon Homes is releasing the following ground floor Axis Series homes in Blackburn Point, Sunderland precinct:

10 x 1 bedroom plus study walk-ups at $525,000 each

Please visit www.axisseries.co.nz/how-to-buy/ for more information on the purchasing criteria and how to enter a ballot.

Entries for the ballot close 4pm Monday 13^th August 2018, with the ballot being held on Tuesday 14 August 2018. 

To learn more about these homes please visit the Jalcon Homes showhome, 7 Liquidambar Drive, Hobsonville Point or contact:

Melanie Tracy – melanie@jalcon.co.nz, 021 886 816

Emma Archer – emma@jalcon.co.nz; 027 678 9991

Study shows higher density at Hobsonville Point enhances liveability

Jun 14 2018 Community

Hobsonville Point is emerging as a positive example of how higher density housing can strengthen communities and enhance liveability.

It’s the subject of a ‘Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities’ study led by Professor Errol Haarhoff. The project is one of eleven National Science Challenges funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise.

Researchers are currently analysing a questionnaire survey, which is revealing positive sentiment among residents.

"There is a very strong appreciation of the large investments made in quality parks and public amenities," reports Professor Haarhoff.

Results also show that over 60% over children walk or bike to local schools, more than double the national average.  

In addition to the residents’ survey, the research team is conducting an analysis of topics of conversation on a closed resident Facebook page.

"The most frequent topics relate to what we see as community interactions. These need to be probed further, but it begins to suggest that beyond the construction of houses, there is an emerging a sense of community," says Professor Haarhoff.

Hobsonville Point is unusual in that it was founded on a principle of higher density living from the outset. Development agency HLC has taken a deliberate ‘amenity-first’ approach, beginning with the provision of a cafe and Farmers Market before the first homes were even built.

Professor Haarhoff says this is key to a successful higher density suburb: "What these findings demonstrate is that people are prepared to live at higher density if the neighbourhood offers a rich array of amenities, such as parks, playgrounds, cafes, and so on. This compensates for the loss of a backyard and is replaced by well designed and safe and public spaces that have a high degree of walkability."

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For a new resident’s perspective on moving from a low-density suburb to Hobsonville Point, read this recent Stuff article: Hobsonville Point high density study findings

And for some background into New Zealand’s changing attitudes to density, see this SlideShare by HLC’s Mark Fraser: Auckland’s surprising about-face on density