22 | Ultimate Developments Karen Phelps Creating more than 400 homes South Waikato Mayor Gary Petley (left) and Ultimate Global Group Chief Operating Officer Lloyd Cloughley DEVELOPMENT The largest new residential development in South Waikato for 50 years is underway. The first stage of the $200 million development in Overdale Road, Putāruru, by Ultimate Global Group will deliver more than 400 homes to the market. Ultimate Global Group Chief Operating Officer Lloyd Cloughley says the development is a great opportunity for people to buy a stand-alone house on a 600sqm section at an affordable price. He says the homes are ideally suited to a range of buyer markets including first homebuyers, families, downsizers and investors. “In Putāruru we can bring a house to market for at least $300,000 less than Tauranga or Rotorua. Our entry level house is $715,000 – a similar house in Tauranga or the Lakes would be $1.1-1.4 million.” Stage one will comprise 22 houses, which will be built with the Government’s new H1 standard, due to be introduced in 2023, in mind including low-E double-glazed windows and increased R value insulation to walls and ceilings. Home will range from approximately 150-200sqm and offer three to four bedrooms. All have been carefully designed to suit the site, which are all northwest facing and some even offer views over a reserve. Upgraded packages are available for kitchen, bathroom and garage to suit individual needs. For example the garage upgrade includes customised cabinetry in the laundry, insulated garage doors and carpeted floors resulting in a multi-use area. Ultimate Global Group also has a number of spec homes underway. A showhome and the first two houses will be completed around March-April 2023. Lloyd says that interest has been strong with seven homes pre-sold already to both families and investors. He says that increasingly people are choosing to work from smaller towns and a tight labour market, coupled with employers’ realisation through the Covid pandemic that people can be just as productive at home, has changed everything about where people can live. As an example Lloyd says that the general manager of Ultimate Builders, the construction arm of Ultimate Group that will build the project, has moved from Tauranga to Putāruru and his wife, who is a graphic designer, works from home. “To give an example I live in Papamoa and it takes me 40 minutes to drive to Tauranga in peak traffic. People can reach Tauranga, Hamilton and Rotorua from Putāruru in around 50 minutes.” Ultimate Global Group completes land development and construction around New Zealand including Canterbury, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Lloyd says that the Group’s strong track record of growth and success is attributable to its decades of real estate and risk management experience, accessibility to assets in key areas, and timely delivery of completed projects through strategic partnerships with reliable names in the industry. “The Ultimate Global Group has a reputation for delivering projects to the enrichment of its customers, partners, funders, employees and the local community,” he says. Lloyd says that Ultimate Global Group identified the 38-hectare site in Putāruru several years ago and has worked closely with the South Waikato District Council to rezone areas. The Ultimate Global Group development project follows an announcement in July that Putāruru born and bred property developer Tim Bartells plans to build a $200 million 254 villa retirement village in Putāruru starting in October this year. Putāruru Country Estate retirement village will include a 2,000m2 fivestar resort quality recreation and community facility incorporating a heated swimming pool, spa, gym, picture theatre, restaurant and café, library, doctors’ rooms, snooker and pool tables, grand piano, Mens shed, bowling green, virtual golf and more. South Waikato Mayor Gary Petley says the district is growing significantly both in terms of population and business investment. “Investors are recognising the strengths of the South Waikato with our central location, strong rail and road links, land availability and a business and investor friendly Council.” South Waikato Head of Economic Development Paul Bowden says the Ultimate Global Group development was another example that post-Covid demand for work life balance is driving growth in provincial New Zealand towns. “Economic growth is driving demand for new housing in South Waikato and this will be a game-changer for housing supply in the district. Also Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua are all commutable in less than one hour and Auckland is just two hours away. This development will have ultra-fast broadband, which is as critical as road connections for remote working.” Lloyd says Overdale Road is a great opportunity for families to secure a home in an up and coming location. “Think of Pokeno – eight or nine years ago the only reason you would stop there was if you needed petrol or bacon. When Pukekohe prices went through the roof you could buy at Pokeno for $300,000 to $400,000 less. When Pokeno prices rose, people opted for Te Kauwhata. With rising labour and material costs the price of building a house is never going to do down so now is a great time to secure a new home in Putāruru.” “Investors are recognising the strengths of the South Waikato with our central location.” Gold franchisee of the year: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 2020 2021 & 2022 PH. 09 2634 000 | EMAIL. info@vistalitesouth.co.nz www.vistalite.co.nz VISTALITE SOUTH PROUD SUPPLIER OF PREMIUM WINDOWS AND DOORS TO ULTIMATE DEVELOPMENTS • Blue Wallace congratulates Ultimate Developments on the Putaruru Development Project. • To support this growth, we are seeking experienced surveyors and civil engineers to join our team. For more information, contact us today. BLUE WALLACE SURVEYORS Providing surveying services since 1994 - Waikato wide. 07 839 7799 office@bluewallace.co.nz www.bluewallace.co.nz
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