The Vulcan. Photo / Supplied
Work has been ramping up since before Christmas on boutique luxury development The Vulcan opposite Victoria Park, and the twin-towered project is approaching 80 per cent sold.
Developer Neil Slater says: "Twenty-nine of our 38 apartments have sold unconditionally and we have two more under contract, so we're expecting to have 31 sold very soon."
The Vulcan is named after the Roman god of fire and metalworking, in reference to the original use of the site, which long housed the old Millar Paterson Metals foundry.
A west-facing "Parkview" tower will look across to Victoria Park, the Harbour Bridge and the Waitemata Harbour beyond, and a "Cityview" tower with apartments facing both east and west will admire twinkling city lights.
Architects Leuschke Group designed The Vulcan to stand apart with an edgy aesthetic and eye-catching form. Bronze detailing will be used throughout the building and the facade will be an experiment in reflectivity, its clean lineal structure broken by a bold bronze frame.
Neil says: "We're getting consistent feedback that what's driving buyers to purchase here is the great location and the building and interior's edgy distinctive style."
Demolition of the low stucco Millar Paterson Building was completed in January, the Millar family having relocated their workshop and foundry (on site since the 1920s but established in 1903) to Penrose.
Neil says though demolition of the building was exciting progress because the site will be revitalised, he felt its removal was "a momentous little occasion" given it had been there so long. The Millar family were given one of the brass plaques from the old building.
Piling of the new building is due to be completed very soon and the week after Easter a crane will arrive on site to build the towers. By the end of this year passersby will be able to see the two towers risen up.
Contracted builders are Scarborough Construction who have built some large apartment buildings around Auckland.
The buildings will predominantly be concrete with floor to ceiling joinery. Balconies running the full width of each residence will incorporate graduated intensity metallic frit glass for privacy.
The development's long narrow site runs between Halsey St and Dock St and its lobby will be on quiet no-exit Dock St. This location is near Wynyard Quarter, about five minutes' walk from the Viaduct and the CBD and not much longer to Britomart.
Interiors will incorporate some exposed concrete walls, concrete-look tiles, marble benches, wooden floors, ECC lighting and Miele appliances. Lighter or darker colour-way choices are available.
Neil says buyers to date are people who are excited by the idea of living in a brand new residence enjoying the vibrancy of the city.
"We've had such a wonderful summer and every time I go down there that whole precinct is just humming with so much activity.
"And we know there's going to be America's Cup activity close by."
Buyers range from empty-nesters to those looking for their first home. They include some owners who have a second residence out of Auckland, or spend a significant amount of time overseas and want The Vulcan to be their city base.
The Vulcan is scheduled for completion in September 2019. The display suite, which was previously located in the old Millar Paterson Building, has relocated to the Bayleys office in Hereford Street, Freemans Bay.