Skhy 1 - first stage completed in Newton. Photo / Supplied
Construction has been completed and now the first residents of the Skhy precinct in Newton are getting to experience life in one of Auckland's most exciting new developments.
As the first purchasers are moving in, there are just a handful of the stylish apartments still available to buy in stage one of Skhy, and developer Tim Lamont from Lamont and Co reckons they'll go fast.
"We've had a lot of interest and the feedback from the new owners is really positive," he says. "They seem to be very happy so far."
Located near the corner of Symonds St and Khyber Pass Rd, Skhy (which combines the letters of both streets and is pronounced Sky), is being developed in two stages.
The first has involved the repurposing of a distinctive 1970s 11-storey tower block that used to be the headquarters of the Winstone Group, and had a post office on the ground floor.
"We've had a lot of compliments about how stunning the tower looks now," Lamont says.
Renowned architect Pip Cheshire was given the job of turning the building from a somewhat-dated commercial hub into a collection of apartments that feature cutting-edge design but are also practical, comfortable and easy to live in.
The industrial heritage of the building has been highlighted with features such as exposed concrete beams and columns.
There are three apartment styles in the tower. The warehouse ones have ceilings that range from 2.5 to 3.6m and either warm oak or polished concrete floors.
They include a clever design feature — an internal "service box" incorporating the bathroom and storage areas. Clad in soft birch plywood, the service boxes anchor the kitchen on the outside.
The garden apartments have huge terraces, providing plenty of space for outdoor living.
There are also expansive open-plan living and dining areas and bathrooms that include timber and reconstituted stone vanities.
The elegant tower apartments have been crafted from warm timbers and soft plasters, and the open-plan living and dining areas are set into the building's concrete frame.
Spacious covered terraces adjoin the living areas.
Top-quality fixtures and fittings are throughout.
"People really seem to appreciate the architecture and the fact that we have used high quality materials," Lamont says. "People want to live in apartments they want to be proud of. That's what we have tried to create."
Skhy is centred on a lush landscaped plaza with sculptured gardens, designed by Damian Wendleborn, of Urbanite Landscape Design.
The location in vibrant inner-city Newton is proving a drawcard, says Tim. "It's a really great area with so much on the doorstep."
As well as it being close to the city, there are also great eateries nearby, including award-winning The French Cafe, and family favourite Gina's in Symonds St. Public transport is within easy reach, with a choice of train stations in Grafton and Mt Eden and a frequent bus service in both Khyber Pass Rd and Symonds St. Entrances to motorways are just five or six minutes' drive.
The Auckland Domain is a 10-minute walk and Newmarket is 15 minutes. AUT and Auckland University are also within easy walking distance.
Work on three other buildings that will make up stage two of Skhy is about to begin, and is due to be finished by the middle of next year.
Lamont is hoping residents will enjoy a sense of community, as well as feeling that they are living in homes that offer the best in comfort and architectural design.