30 Madden, Wynyard Quarter. Photo / Supplied
By Donna Fleming
It was once a useful piece of industrial land but also an eyesore in Auckland's beautiful harbour.
The Western Reclamation - the area of reclaimed land on the waterfront now known as Wynyard Quarter - was built by Ports of Auckland as a place to berth more ships and boats and provide flat land for port-related activities.
Over the years it went from being mostly used by the timber trade to housing petrol and liquid chemical storage facilities (some still remaining), marine companies, fishing fleets and a sand-mining company.
Today Wynyard Quarter is rapidly becoming one of the most vibrant and sought-after parts of the city.
Much of the land is no longer needed for bulk fuel storage and a plan was developed in 2005 to transform the area over 25 years into a harbourside community with restaurants, bars, hotels, offices, event centres and theatres, parks and plazas.
"What is happening is incredibly exciting," says Mark McGuinness, managing director of development company Willis Bond & Co, which is responsible for residential properties in the Wynyard precinct.
"We feel very privileged to be part of it. I think it will be the new heart of the city."
Willis Bond & Co has already started work on the first two residential developments it is building - 312 Halsey and Wynyard Central. Now it's marketing the next stage, 30 Madden, which will be the biggest block in the area so far.
Panuku, Auckland Council's urban regeneration agency, is doing a fantastic job with Wynyard Quarter, says Mark.
His team's members were keen to use the lessons they've learned in more than 25 years in the property to create apartments that would be a pleasure to live in.
They hired architects Studio Pacific and rather than focusing initially on how the building will look from the outside, started "on the inside looking out". Consideration went into acoustics, natural light, temperature control, stud height and the views.
Designed to sit harmoniously in the waterfront area, 30 Madden will have a Scandinavian feel, says Mark, thanks to its clean, elegant lines.
The apartments will be light and spacious, and come in a variety of configurations.
There are studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, plus two-level maisonettes and penthouses set around a private landscaped courtyard with native plants and a water feature.
"We wanted real diversity so that we can get a real sense of community, from first-time buyers through to people who have been in the property market for some time and can afford a penthouse," says Mark, adding that they are targeting owner-occupiers.
Materials have been chosen for longevity as well as style. Kitchens will have durable engineered stone surfaces, European appliances, stylish cabinetry and intelligent storage solutions.
Bathrooms will be luxurious and practical, with tiles and custom-designed storage; the master bedrooms have en suites and wardrobes.
The two-bedroom maisonettes, over two floors, will have dual aspects, getting both morning and afternoon sun. They will have west-facing balconies, and Italian Carrara marble bench tops.
The penthouses will have 270-degree panoramic outlooks over the waterfront. Dedicated elevators will open directly into personal foyers and a long hallway will be the perfect place to display art.
They will have Carrara benchtops and Gaggenau appliances in the kitchens, wool carpets, timber flooring and full height glazing. Building is due to start in mid-2018 and be completed by mid-2020.