92 | DEVELOPMENT Stratford Haven T T Kelly Deeks Refinement and quality on the Shore Stratford Haven has been planned as a cohesive architectural whole. Opportunities to secure a high-end architecturally designed home in Milford are increasingly rare, making the new Stratford Haven development a notable arrival in the North Shore residential market. With just 12 homes being built at 20-21 Stratford Avenue, developer Dan Oliver describes the project as offering “a house in town rather than a townhouse” – a rare opportunity to secure space, quality, and location in one of Auckland’s most soughtafter areas. Construction is underway and scheduled for completion in late 2026, with the homes targeted at buyers seeking coastal living without compromise. For Dan, the project represents decades of experience in New Zealand residential construction, and a belief that refinement and consistency outperform variation. “The most beautiful homes are the ones that feel right the moment you arrive,” he says. “They’re not just good to look at – they make daily life easier and more enjoyable.” Located on a quiet residential street within walking distance of Milford’s shops, cafes, coastal walkways, and public transport, Stratford Haven has been planned as a cohesive architectural whole. Each home delivers the same 154sqm floor area and high specification, a deliberate decision, Dan says, that supports quality and valuation consistency. “Consistency allows us to refine the design so every home performs at the same level,” he says. Each residence includes a freehold title, internal-access garage with over-bonnet storage, and no body corporate. The layout spans three levels, beginning with an entry level that includes one bedroom, a full bathroom, laundry, and access to a private rear yard. The first floor forms the main living environment, with open-plan kitchen, dining, and lounge spaces, while the upper level provides two identical master suites with ensuites and twin wardrobes – the dual-master configuration designed to support modern living patterns. The bathrooms are fully tiled with under-tile heating in master ensuites. Heat pumps are installed throughout all habitable rooms and living spaces, including the lounge, kitchen, and all bedrooms. A defining design element is the winter garden, an indoor-outdoor room directly connected to the living space, and operable year-round. Adapted from international apartment design, it combines tiled flooring, integrated heating, and sliding doors for winter sun and summer ventilation. “You can use it in July or January,” Dan says. “It becomes a reading room, a breakfast spot, or a place to entertain.” The entertainer’s kitchen reinforces that social focus. It features a stone island stepping down into a built-in dining table, Fisher & Paykel appliances, integrated refrigeration, dish drawers, and a wine fridge. Custom cabinetry and LED lighting keep the kitchen connected to family life, rather than isolating the cook. “It’s where cooking, conversation, and connection all happen at once,” Dan says. Interior detailing supports a calm aesthetic, with generous windows, natural light, and a refined palette. Vertical timber stair screens and integrated handrail lighting blend function and texture. Construction detailing focuses on long-term durability, including proven waterproofing systems. Thermal and acoustic performance has been a priority, with thermally broken Low-E double glazing, enhanced insulation, intertenancy wall systems exceeding code minimums, and heat pumps to living areas and main bedrooms. Layouts separate primary living spaces from neighbouring homes to support privacy and quiet enjoyment. Milford’s position between Lake Pupuke and the Hauraki Gulf gives the suburb a relaxed residential atmosphere, with strong access to schooling, transport, and employment. Dan says Stratford Haven is designed to feel settled within that environment. “People value quality, privacy, and ease. Stratford Haven responds to that.” This is a boutique collection of homes, carefully designed to suit the quality and character of the Milford market. Pricing is positioned at the premium end of Milford medium-density housing, with details available on request. For Dan, the project stands out because of its combination of scale, design intent, and setting. “We’re delivering homes with the presence and livability of a standalone house, positioned in town, in one of the Shore’s most established neighbourhoods. You don’t see that very often.”
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