84 | Smart new rentals boost supply Two of the five homes have already received priority compliance and are tenanted. The remaining three are on track for completion in June. A Clark Properties: McIntosh Group T T Bernadette Cooney DEVELOPMENT Ashburton’s rental housing market is set to benefit from a fresh wave of modern, family homes as A Clark Rentals Ltd pushes forward with its Archibald Street development in Tinwald. Spearheaded by Aaron Clark of Geraldine, and built by McIntosh Group of Ashburton, the project reflects an approach to solving housing challenges, while building a sustainable property portfolio for Aaron to manage personally. “My motivation for Archibald St was to improve the rental housing stock, born of the frustration with the inefficiencies of older rental housing stock, so I figured I might as well develop new housing that’s better, warmer and more efficient for everyone,” says Aaron. A Clark Rental’s Archibald St project consists of five new, three-bedroom homes on State Highway 1. Three are standalone, and two are joined via garages. All are designed to be practical, affordable, and long-lasting rentals for working families. “These are good-quality, entry-level homes with one and a half bathrooms, aimed at locals who want a modern, tidy, warm place to live,” says Aaron. All are being retained as long-term rentals by Aaron, who manages his own properties to ensure a better experience for tenants. “Having that personal relationship matters. I’ve found when people know the landlord cares, they treat the place better and that helps everyone.” Two of the five homes have already received priority compliance and are tenanted. The remaining three are on track for completion in June. Building company the McIntosh Group is a respected, Ashburton-based construction company with decades of experience in residential and commercial building. “They’ve been fantastic. We started mid-January, and they had two houses ready in two and a half months. I hardly had to be involved. • Textures & Specialist Coatings • Licensed Rockcote Plasterers • Interior & Exterior Painting • Factory Lacquer Finishes • Wallpapering & Decorating FREE PHONE: 0800 TFC ASH (832 274) 15 Grey St, Ashburton| Ph: 03 307 8870 PROFESSIONAL DECORATING & PLASTERING SPECIALISTS IN SITE PREPARATION FROM START TO FINISH Contact Us 021 716 165 | alex.braas@icloud.com Proudly Supporting A Clark Properties They handled everything from consents and design to construction, and I entrust them to do what they’re good at,” says Aaron. His first new housing development was infill housing on West St at the north end of Ashburton, completed in December 2023. Aaron is no stranger to property investment, having bought his first house at 17 and another at 20 while studying at university. He would later sell a property to enable him to venture into a 1600 dairy herd sharemilking operation near Geraldine. “I’ve been sharemilking for 10 years now, but before that I started out as an accountant. Didn’t enjoy that very much so that didn’t last long,” he says. Now 34 with a young family, he balances sharemilking with multiple ventures, including a car rental and Airbnb business in Queenstown, and his growing property development activity through A Clark Rentals Ltd. As Ashburton grapples with housing supply pressures, developments like Archibald St are helping meet demand with well-built homes designed for the long term. “I sought to create something that works for the community, and me and my family in the long run.” With two more properties in his portfolio earmarked for future development, A Clark Rentals Ltd continues to take steps on a quietly ambitious journey to supply better rental housing stock to Mid and South Canterbury regions.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=