92 | T T Sue Russell A top model of higherdensity housing Truebuilt Construction True Built is a small family operated team. Two projects on the go T T Sue Russell BUILDING Homestead Construction: Mabel Central David Raikes began building on his own account about 30 years ago but began trading as True Built Construction Ltd in 2008. True Built is a small family operated team consisting of David, wife Jennifer in the office, son Nathanael as leading hand, problem solver and encourager, second year apprentice Noah Winchester who David says is coming along very nicely, and another son James, an architectural draughtsman, filling out the 2024 year three days a week to broaden his on-site experience in his career of choice. “As demand requires it, True Built draw on a core group of contract tradesmen to assist when workload or specific tasks require it,” says David. David finds that being still active on the site keeps him in touch with the physical realities of the workplace, the practical consequences of his own management decisions, and helps develop the relationship with clients, staff, contractors and suppliers. Operating in both the commercial and residential fields provides a good scope of work experience and prevents them from being pigeon-holed into one specific category, and is valuable from a skill set perspective. A significant milestone in Levin’s housing landscape has been reached with the opening of a first-of- its-kind medium density townhouse development in the heart of the Horowhenua, which exemplifies the future of modern city living in the regions. Mabel Central is Levin’s first ever multi-residential community, developed and built by an established local construction company, Homestead Construction. Situated at 10 Mabel Street the 43-unit townhouse development comprises 18 three-bedroom homes and 25 two-bedroom homes, all of which are two-storey dwellings located in terraced blocks of four to six dwellings each. The development is positioned around a central green space and roadway, Pipi Place, which is owned and maintained by the local council. After a construction period of only 13 months, the development was officially opened in October 2023. The smart new townhouse development looks set to become a model of higher-density housing for the regions and proves that medium-density housing can work equally well outside of cities says Homestead Construction project manager Stephen Griffiths. “What a success for the regions,” he says, “41 of the 43 townhouses are sold and the feedback has been really positive.” The units have sold to a broad spectrum of buyers including property investors realising better yields in the regions, first home buyers from main centres looking for entry into the property market and over 50s downsizing to low maintenance, easy-care living close to amenities. With greater connectivity between towns and the new expressway which is only a 10 minute drive from Levin, the region is opening up. Mabel Central offers good value and ease of living for Wellingtonians and Hutt Valley families who feel priced out of their local market. Homestead Construction developed the housing complex on land which had originally been a family homestead, before its purchase in 2021. At 9500 sq. metres, the site was one of the largest available in Levin for a development of this kind. Stephen says the market was ready and the time was right for the unique housing development. Having built similar housing developments in Wellington and the Manawatu, they bought their expertise and experience to initiate higher density housing for the Horowhenua. Homestead Construction’s track record speaks volumes, with past projects like the iconic Erskine and Paetutu housing developments earning accolades from the NZ Institute of Architects. Mabel Central is close to local amenities, including schools, shops and a railway station. The homes come complete with floor coverings, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers; each has a private courtyard. They are double glazed and have heat pumps, heated towel rails and roller blinds. Each townhouse also contains infrastructure that future proofs it for future EV charging connections. A second stage to the development is planned, bringing another 13 townhouses to the site, which would eventually make a total When Business Central caught up with True Built, they had two main projects occupying their time: a commercial contract, and a new house build in Ada Street, Hastings. The commercial contract involves the internal framing and fit out to Lattey Civil Groups new premises at Irongate, with Lattey Civil themselves undertaking the main structural and envelope portion of the build. The Ada Street home is the work of Melissa Burne of Archint, who has liaised closely with her clients to produce the design of what David says will be a most attractive high quality residence. Features include full brick and schist masonry exterior, vaulted ceilings, solid teak internal doors, and large format porcelain tiles to feature walls, to name a few. “Running the two jobs concurrently is a challenge with just the one team but, so far, the program has been manageable and projected targets have been met, much to the clients and our satisfaction,” David says. Relationships are most important to David and his team, and business would not be what it is for them had not solid relationships been built over the years. True Built punch above their weight in terms of meeting obligations, delivering a quality product, and building lasting relationships with those they do business with. Granite Electrical Ltd Proudly supporting Truebuilt Construction For all your electrical services, call Darrell today! 021 249 5097 | graniteelectrical2016@gmail.com CF CHRIS FAIR Joinery Services repairs & maintenance of all joinery Phone: 027 922 1348 | email:chris@chrisfair.co.nz Proud to be associated with Truebuilt Construction Proudly Supporting Homestead Construction
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