| 79 T T Kelly Deeks Christchurch history inspires design Nestled on the fringe of Christchurch’s central city, the Ely Street development features three separate townhouses cleverly disguised as a single, grand Georgian manor. Brooksfield: 17 Ely Street DEVELOPMENT M: 0277 336 623 | E: admin@erect.nz | erectscaffolding.co.nz -BOE %FWFMPQNFOU DPOTVMUBOUT GPS #SPPLTGJFME 5PXOIPVTFT TVSWVT DP O[ IFMMP!TVSWVT DP O[ Mike 027 391 7772 | www.mhdecorators.co.nz Qualified Painters • New Housing • Domestic / Commercial EQR • Interior / Exterior • Roof Spraying Christchurch-based residential property developer Brooksfield is putting a fresh spin on medium-density housing with a seamless blend of timeless architecture and modern convenience that appeals to the market, and enhances the surrounding neighbourhood. The company’s recently completed Ely Street development exemplifies this approach. Nestled on the fringe of Christchurch’s central city, the project features three separate townhouses cleverly disguised as a single, grand Georgian manor. It’s an idea that director Vincent Holloway says draws inspiration from the city’s architectural past. “After WWII, a change of fortunes and lifestyle saw a lot of Christchurch’s grand old homes divided up into multiple units,” he says. “We thought, why not reverse that idea, take the format of a big house and turn it into new housing stock with character. We designed Ely Street to look like one big Georgian home. There are three separate homes in a row, but the façade is unified. The central unit has a grand front entrance that gives the illusion of a large, standalone house, while the two end homes have private entries tucked to either side.” Recently handed over to three owner-occupiers, the project attracted a mix of buyers, including a downsizer, a first-home buyer, as well as a family investment situation. Vincent says while end units typically sell fastest, due to better natural light and window space, the centre home at Ely St proved surprisingly popular. “The central front door and overall façade really gives a feeling of grandeur. People were drawn to that – it’s an effective illusion of something a lot more substantial.” The development was not only a success in terms of sales, but also construction efficiency. It was more cost-effective to build with its single roof structure, and its consolidated architectural features like the single decorative front door surround kept costs down while maintaining a high-end look. The Ely St homes feature traditional Colonial Revival elements, with dark-green exteriors and west-facing outdoor areas. Inside, each home offers split-level living, two generous bedrooms, and thoughtful details like stone bench tops, wool insulation, and plant-based paints. The centre unit even includes a charming attic bedroom with a skylight view. The success of Ely St has set the tone for more developments in the same style. Brooksfield now has projects underway in Cashmere, St Martins, Somerfield, and other parts of Christchurch, as well as Auckland and Nelson. Brooksfield is even giving away a brand-new home to a lucky buyer in 2025. More details are on the website. Vincent says Brooksfield has been developing residential property for about seven years, and is always trying new things, new facades, better layouts, and more efficient construction. “Our goal is to build homes that people love living in, and that make neighbourhoods look and feel better.” With a tight-knit team of seven in the office and 10 dedicated sales staff, Brooksfield manages every aspect of its developments in-house. This hands-on approach ensures consistency, quality, and a clear line of communication throughout the building process. “At Brooksfield, we want to create homes people genuinely love,” Vincent says. “We’re setting a higher standard for medium-density housing, and we’re proud to be part of shaping the future of our neighbourhoods.”
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