98 | DEVELOPMENT Leven Property: Austen Projects “Buyers want certainty around quality and we make sure every detail has been considered before they walk through the door.” Abron Group Quality across every project T T Karen Phelps Designing a community T T Sue Russell “It’s all about creating a little community in your neighbourhood.” Troy Hoogeveen says one of the key drivers in the decision to focus Leven Property’s activity on the development of high-end town-housing was his six years living in the Netherlands. “We had our children while living there and the focus was very much around the quality of living and the sense of community town-housing developments created. This was something lacking here and when we returned and established Leven Property, we wanted to emulate that social value.” How this is achieved, Troy explains, is through the connection with neighbours and also to the community. He realised, having experienced first-hand what this felt like, that it was important to replicate this in a New Zealand context where multiple different generations can coexist and that’s what has driven the careful thinking behind Leven Property’s Otumoetai development in Tauranga. “It’s all about creating a little community in your neighbourhood. Front doors are near each other to generate social interaction between people of all generations because those sorts of contacts are important. When we were living in the Netherlands, my wife was at home with young children so that feeling of connection was really important.” When completed, the large site at 30 Milton Road, Otumoetai, will be home to two blocks of four two-level townhouses, each spanning two and three bedrooms in size. Block A will have the bedrooms upstairs while Block B behind will feature the living areas above to capture the view. Two-bedroom homes measure 95m2 each, while the three-bedroom extend to 117m2. Troy says they have been designed with ease of living and thoughtful consideration given to how people interact with their environment from the moment they enter the front door. Abron Group is accelerating work across the Bay of Plenty, with new builds underway in Omokoroa and Tauranga and further stages advancing in Katikati. The company has built its reputation on a fully integrated model that sees it control projects from land acquisition through to civil works and construction, using its own heavy machinery. Director Howard Scott leads the strategic direction, his daughter, Abbie, oversees sales and marketing and his son, Cam, manages civil and construction operations. The spotlight is currently on 60 and 61 Western Avenue in Omokoroa, where Abron Group, in partnership with Lighthouse Group, is delivering a new subdivision bordering the Omokoroa Sports Reserve. When complete, the development will comprise at least 23 sites, with sections ranging from 400 to 450sqm. Abron Group has already completed two homes. One sold last year, and the other is currently on the market. A further two homes are under construction and are due for completion in mid-2026. Each dwelling is typically configured with three bedrooms and one living area, with some designs incorporating a second lounge. Homes are built as move-in-ready packages, finished to a high specification. Designed to appeal to families, downsizers and professionals seeking quality in a coastal setting, it is positioned within walking distance of schools, cafés, beaches, walking and cycling tracks, and the local golf and tennis clubs. The site is expected to benefit from continued growth as new amenities come on stream in coming years. Abbie says the aim is to provide homes that combine design flair with everyday practicality. “At Western Avenue we are delivering higherend homes with upgrades such as security systems, high-quality window dressings, Bosch appliance packages, engineered stone bench tops and feature lighting. “Buyers want certainty around quality and we make sure every detail has been considered before they walk through the door.” One of the homes currently being marketed, located at 5 Manawanui Place just off Western Avenue, offers three bedrooms, two bathrooms and double garaging across 170sqm of floor area on a 421sqm section. Features include a custom study nook, bespoke kitchen and laundry, tiled showers with underfloor heating, pendant lighting and a Toshiba heat pump. The property also comes with a 10 Year Abron Assurance. “Our in-house designer has worked closely on the Omokoroa development to ensure cohesion across the neighbourhood, while still giving each home its own personality,” explains Abbie. “It is about creating a community that feels considered rather than cookie-cutter.” Creating a community is very much a theme in Troy’s conversation. Easy access to public transport, cycling routes and schools was a consideration when choosing the site. The proximity of the site location to the city naturally promotes the use of other forms of transport rather than a reliance on a private vehicle. This helps to encourage the use of diverse transport modes which, Troy says, is very important. “The idea of using other forms of transport rather than a reliance on your own vehicle is very important to us as well. We’ve given very careful thought to design and the number of townhouses best suited for this site.” Troy says the build is progressing very well with the structures closed in. The houses will all be encased in brick cladding, giving a sense of permanence and future low maintenance to owners. It is planned to have the townhouses on the market within the next couple of months and Troy is expecting considerable interest from potential buyers. Oliver Austen, from Austen Projects is responsible for construction of the homes and Troy says a priority has been to use local tradies where this has been practical. Acknowledging this is his first foray into housing development, Troy says he’s enjoyed the experience to date. He studied structural engineering at university and has always been involved in the construction sector. “Council have been good to work with and we engaged DGSE (Design Group Stapleton Elliott) to create the plans. We wanted to promote that they will be really lovely spaces to live in and the layout has certainly achieved this.” Specialist Company Austen Projects is an Auckland-based luxury builder specializing in multi-unit developments and high-end homes, delivering exceptional results through comprehensive project management and meticulous attention to detail. D E S I G N | C O N S T R U C T I O N | P R O J E C T M A N A G E M E N T Nation Wide 021 225 4959 oliver@austenprojects.co.nz austenprojects.co.nz DESIGN AND BUILD Where quality meets community. neweraroofing.nz N EW ROO F I N S TA L L AT I ON S R E S I D E N T I A L R E - ROO F I NG COMME R C I A L & I ND U S T R I A L ROO F I NG ROO F MA I N T E N A NC E & R E PA I R S Covering the Bay of Plenty area.
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