94 | Location and vibrancy The development encompasses 13 stylish two-storey townhouses. DEVELOPMENT Envision Developments T T Richard Loader South Projects Meeting demand for affordable townhouses T T Kim Newth Envision Developments’ newly built and beautifully appointed Rotherham Street townhouses in the heart of Christchurch’s suburb of Riccarton are all about location and the vibrance of an urban lifestyle. Sharing the street with the entrance to Riccarton Mall, and in close proximity to the restaurants, bar, cafés and movie theatre, the location has plenty to offer. Zoned for Christchurch Girls’ High and Christchurch Boys’ High, just two kilometres to Hagley Park and three kilometres to Canterbury University, there is extra appeal to investors and firsthome buyers alike. “You don’t need a car, because you can walk everywhere, and anything you can’t walk to you can bus or Uber because you are on the main arterial route,” says Envision Developments’ director Danielle Bridge. “I say to people, you actually need to visit to see just how good the location is.” Positioned for the sun on a 1200sqm section, the development encompasses 13 two-storey townhouses, configured as one block of seven and two blocks of three. In total, there are 11 80sqm, two-bedroom and two 100sqm, three-bedroom townhouses, all packed full of features. Christchurch residential development company South Projects is in growth mode, with multiple projects in the works to meet growing demand for quality townhouses in desirable inner suburban locations. Brothers Josh and Mitch King founded South Projects in 2021, sharing a focus on providing high-quality housing for first-home buyers, families and investors. Builder Josh and electrician Mitch, together with a reliable team of subcontractors and suppliers, strive to make the whole journey as smooth and uncomplicated as possible for their buyers. The same architectural firm, Figure & Ground, is used on every project to achieve consistent quality design, with Tetrad Consulting providing professional engineering solutions. Just completed in Plunket Street, Spreydon, South Projects’ latest contemporary townhouse development sold off the plans within two weeks of going to market last year. The six meticulously designed townhouses, larger than most, combine modern, low-maintenance living with convenience in a prime location near local shops, schools, reserves and key transport links. Each includes spacious double bedrooms, walk-in wardrobes and ensuites, top-of-the-line kitchens, quality appliances and indoor-outdoor flow to kwila decking. The two-bed units have an allocated car park, while the three-bedroom unit has a carpeted single- car garage. “We like locations like this, on the outskirts of the central city, because they are more affordable and represent value for money,” says Josh. “We always use high-end products and materials, including easy-care tray and brick with a touch of cedar. We’re focusing on spending more on our units, while keeping the same competitive sale price. Our goal is to deliver houses that we’d be happy to live in ourselves. People seem to like what we’re doing, and appreciate our commitment to building quality options for both owner-occupiers and smart investors.” Existing homes on development sites selected by South Projects are invariably given away as relocatable homes, with demolition only reluctantly undertaken as a last resort. Now that interest rate cuts have started putting the wind back in the sails of the New Zealand property market, South Projects is ramping up its project delivery programme in response to market demand. Josh says they plan to double their output next year to 50 new townhouses. “We’re definitely seeing an uptick in interest from prospective buyers and are responding to that.” South Projects next development in Courtenay St, St Albans, which is due to be completed in early 2025, has already sold out with all buyers being owner-occupiers. The five new townhouses are in a prime location and comprise a mix of spacious, well-designed two- and three-bedroom homes with single-car garaging. Construction of another four new townhouses – two- and three-bed options, all with single-car garaging – is due to get underway in Geraldine St, St Albans. “For investors, they offer a good yield in the market and owner-occupiers love the layout too, including having that second bathroom,” says Josh. Next up for South Projects, with construction starting early next year, are five more townhouses in Sumner St, Spreydon, all quality three-bedroom homes with garages. Also planned for 2025 are eight, new, two-bedroom-plus-garage townhouses in Gresford St, Edgeware. “Not many two-bedroom units come with a garage. We’re offering a much better product and there’s a strong appetite for that.” With South Projects stepping up its building programme in 2025, Josh and Mitch are keeping a close eye on growth and doing the planning required to maintain sustainable forward momentum. They also plan to open one of their new townhouses as a show home to highlight their high standard of workmanship and finish. The lower level of the two-bedroom townhouses embraces open-plan dining, kitchen and living, laundry and separate toilet, with large double bedrooms, a bathroom and storage on the upper level. The three-bedroom townhouses have the same configuration as the two-bedroom townhouses, but with a third bedroom; the master with ensuite opening out onto the generous deck area from ranchsliders. “The kitchens are significantly larger than other two-bedroom townhouses that we have seen,” says Danielle. “They are quite spacious with good working areas. They also have stone benchtops and the kitchens come complete with European washing machine and dryer, a fridge/freezer and a microwave, in addition to the appliances that always come with a new townhouse. “They also come with blinds throughout. The kitchen appliances and blinds are all part of the purchase price, which means an investor can walk and it’s all done for them.” Exterior cladding is a mix of low-maintenance Rockcote and James Hardie board, with kwila decks a key feature for each townhouse, perfect for outdoor entertaining or just relaxing in the sun. All of this is complemented with a communal lawn area and bike shed. tel: 0508 873 7483 email: sales@affordableconcrete.co.nz www.affordableconcrete.co.nz Multi Unit Developments Townhouse Construction Design and Build www.alphaconstruct.co.nz SL Scaffolds Ltd Auckland • Canterbury • Central Otago www.southernlakesscaffolds.co.nz Southern Lakes Scaffolds Ltd • Cladding Installation • Exterior Plastering • Painting • Special Effect Finishes 027 328 9187 | quiksandltd@hotmail.com Jason McCusker
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