40 | HW Developments: Otaki Gardens T T Richard Loader Otaki Gardens driven by big shift north Otaki Gardens will be home to 90 houses when completed. DEVELOPMENT When a promising piece of land close to the centre of Otaki township ‘popped its head up’ Colin Wilson Director of H W Developments, could see its potential. Access to Otaki Gardens subdivion is from two entrances off Rangiuru Road where Lots have been developed around a series of curving roads and rights-of-way. In all, Otaki Gardens, will be home to 90 houses when completed. Otaki is a town undergoing a transformation as the impact from the expressway extending northward is taking people away from Wellington to settle in the Kapiti District. Salesman Neville Cole says “There’s definitely been a shift north. People want a lifestyle that a smaller settlement offers, where there’s easy access to the beach and a variety of recreational activities, while still being within easy reach of the big city. Marketing of the sections began in the middle of 2021 and the initial uptake was very encouraging, selling 48 sections before constraints such as higher interest rates and tougher lending conditions by banks and COVID, somewhat slowed sales. Neville says this was to be expected and knows that interest in the remaining sections has picked up in the last month. Neville believes this will continue as Otaki Gardens is located just 500 metres from the town centre. Developing is not for the faint-hearted as costs to subdivide, install sewer, stormwater, power etc are quite high. As a bonus natural gas is included and piped to every section. When Business Central spoke with Neville, new kerbs, storm-water services and sewer were being laid. Gas will follow before the road is finally constructed. Asked how the development has progressed Neville says its gone very well and they are expecting title to come through by the end of the year. “We’ve worked with Mills Albert as our main contractors on the civil work. They are very experienced and we can rely on them for professional timely work.” Located only 500m from the township and within easy walk or biking distance to the beach Neville can see why there has been such strong interest to date in the subdivision. Sections extend in size from 350m to 1053m, giving buyers plenty of options. Otaki Gardens is the largest residential subdivision in the town. While there are convenants in place around limiting street parking the decision was taken to not be as stringent as in the case of our other subdivision Kohekohe Park in Waikanae. “We have no minimum requirement on floor area, just quality homes. Three sites have been set aside allowing transportable homes to be added, under the covenants it is accepted this type of home is becoming quite popular and affordable .” Purchasers pay a 10% deposit on signing up with balance paid on issue of the title. About 50% of the currently sold sections have been purchased by housing companies. Fuelling interest in Otaki is new light industry with several factories relocating to the district. Neville says he and Colin want to help bring Otaki into the 21st century in a stylish way that respected the areas unique context. “I think having the subdivision so close to town is also a bonus in terms of gaining interest from prospective future owners.” Neville thinks there are also advantages to home owners to look at a subdivision created by an independent developer. By that he means when home building companies develop a subdivision there can be more of a homogeneous feel to it. “We think Otaki Gardens in time will evolve quite a bespoke look and vibe with a whole mixed bag of different architectural forms settled on the sections. It’s exciting .” Having been in the property sales and development industry since the 1990’s Neville is very familiar with the cycles up and down and says that key to being successful is an ability to ride the waves. “It’s about taking up opportunities but also biding your time when the market shifts down and having the scale to be able to do that.” Above all, Neville believes that in the next few years Otaki will really experience a growth boom. “With the roading and rail network north of Wellington, people can drive to Waikanae, park up their car and hop on the train to the city. “There is talk about extending the train up to Otaki and if and when that happens that’s going to be really positive.”
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