Business Central December 2021

22 | Townhouses inspired by history Landlight Development DEVELOPMENT Welcome to Aztech Engineering Aztech is now one of the most versatile General Engineering companies in New Zealand with both design and construction capability. Proud to support Landlight Development Ltd Call 04 570-1956 Aztech Engineering Ltd 1 Parkway, Wainuiomata The Seaborne development comprises 32 two and three-bedroom townhouses, the design inspired by Petone’s industrial history. T T Kelly Deeks F ierce demand for housing in the Welling- ton region has Landlight Development bringing 32 new two-storey homes to the seaside suburb of Petone, presenting an opportunity for modern and innovative urban living near the water. “Petone is one of Wellington’s most unique locations where the early settler spirit lives on,” says Landlight Development director Corey McMeeking. “Historic attractions and architecture are now complemented by boutique eateries and artisan producers along a thriving main street that feels like the Cuba Street of old. It has been gentrified and it’s one of the most interesting places in the region with really good amenity.” He says house prices are good and have been good for 10 years, due to Petone’s prox- imity to Wellington, its amenity, and its long, sandy beach. There are long term plans in place to even- tually reroute all heavy vehicles headed to and from Seaview off of the seafront and around the back of the suburb, and Corey says once this happens, the suburb’s popularity will only increase. Landlight Development has been generous with Seaborne, it’s first foray into residential development, with two-bedroom units boast- ing 90sqm and 2.7m ceiling heights. Designed by Herriot Melhuish O’Neill Ar- chitects and built by Ironhorse Construction, the Seaborne development comprises 32 two and three-bedroom townhouses built around a central courtyard. Its simple yet modern de- sign has been inspired by Petone’s industrial history. “Petone used to be all factories and blue collar residents,” Corey says. “Today every house is worth over $1 million. Seaborne takes inspiration from the look and the shape of the old railway cottage, putting a contem- porary spin on the history of Petone.” It was important for Landlight Development that each townhouse didn’t look the same as the next, and this has been achieved with different cladding materials throughout and a carefully considered mixture of mono-pitched, gabled, and raking roof lines. Cladding materials include the on-trend pre- mium weatherboard Abodo. With a relatively straightforward design and build process, and construction about 50% complete, material supply is now the biggest issue on site. “Abodo is a very good product and it looks amazing, but now we can’t get hold of it and it’s holding up our last eight units.” Landlight Development looked at changing the cladding rather than wait, but with build- ing consent changes required, it was decided to stick with Abodo. Made from New Zealand pine, the reduced carbon footprint of Abodo sits well with Lan- dlight Development’s sustainable principles. These are also incorporated into Seaborne with double glazing, full insulation, up-sized heat pumps, and all units are healthy homes compliant. With a three month delay awaiting the delivery of Abodo, Corey is now celebrating the fact Landlight Development has taken a passive approach to selling Seaborne. “We sold what we needed to to get our funding, then we just passively sold through agents in order to keep our pricing in line with the rest of the market.” “Today every house is worth over $1 million. Seaborne takes inspiration from the look and the shape of the old railway cottage, putting a contemporary spin on the history of Petone.”