| 53 T T Hugh de Lacy New sections for Nelson market Atawhai Downs, will be offering sections ranging in size from 310sqm to 1500sqm. Projects and Ventures DEVELOPMENT Amid a resurgence in the Nelson new-home market, local developer Projects and Ventures is on the verge of launching a 73-section, mid-to-upper-market residential development in the northern suburb of Atawhai, just seven minutes’ drive from the central business district. Called Atawhai Downs, and offering sections ranging in size from 310sqm to 1500sqm, the project is expected to get underway with land preparation earthworks in the near future, tenders for that work having closed towards the end of February. “We’re pitching it broadly at the middle market, though the smaller sections will likely go to affordable housing, while the large ones are expected to attract up-market builders and buyers,” says Christian Le Gros, Projects and Ventures director. “All sections at Matawhai Downs will have a building pad designed to maximise the stunning sea views across Tasman Bay, and the development has been planned to link to the existing neighbourhood with walkways and cycle paths connecting it to Clifton Terrace Primary School, just five minutes’ walk away. “The Nelson new-home market is a little under-supplied at the moment: I’m aware of just two other residential developments in the city, one pitched at the affordable market and the other at the high end, so our offerings should fit nicely between them. “We think the shortage of residential sections is going to become more apparent over the next 12 to 24 months as a number of older developments are nearing completion – there are certainly not a lot of new ones in Nelson itself.” Christian says the Nelson market has picked up noticeably over the past several months compared to the previous couple of years, and he thinks it’s a trend that’s sustainable. Nelson continues to be attractive to North Island sun-loving retirees and lifestylers in particular, and there’s even been a level of interest from buyers in the United States. Even if that proves to be just a passing fad, Christian is confident the market is on the rise, and the timing of the release of the Atawhai Downs development sections will benefit from its positive vibes. Projects and Ventures has been the longterm vehicle of Nelson entrepreneurs Graeme Dick and John Davies, although they are both reducing their active involvement in the company, while Christian increases his. The company has a raft of residential developments to its credit, and its modus operandi is to acquire suitable land, push through the prolonged resource consent process, then put the sections on the market where they are likely to be of interest to home-builders like G.J.Gardner and Jennian Homes. Christian came to the company from a background in local government planning, brought in by Graeme and John as part of their succession planning for an enterprise whose projects take years to bring to fruition, although building at Atawhai Downs could begin as early as mid-2026. Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. DO OUR READERS KNOW YOU EXIST?
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