| 71 T T Kelly Deeks Cottage-style homes with charm and character Both houses in the Aylesford St development feature the distinctive look of Georgian cottages, melding heritage style with practical, modern layouts. DEVELOPMENT Brooksfield: Aylesford St Christchurch-based residential developer Brooksfield is making waves in the medium-density housing market with its latest Aylesford Street project: two beautifully crafted three-bedroom homes inspired by historic Tasmanian cottages and classic Auckland villas. Drawing on architectural traditions rarely seen in New Zealand, Brooksfield director Vincent Holloway says the design takes cues from Georgian cottages common in Tasmania, but unusual here due to most of New Zealand’s first homes not being built until the Victorian era. “Georgian architecture in England rarely used timber, so it was unique to see these charming timber cottages in Tasmania. We wanted to bring that same character and warmth to these homes,” Vincent says. Both houses in the Aylesford St development feature the distinctive look of Georgian cottages, melding heritage style with practical, modern layouts. Downstairs, each home offers two bedrooms and a bathroom, while upstairs includes a spacious master bedroom with ensuite, cleverly tucked away so the homes maintain a one-storey appearance from the street. One standout feature is a smartly designed wet room bathroom. Inspired by an old villa Vincent once lived in, the wet area keeps splashing contained – a godsend for families with young children. “Little kids love to splash in the bath, and it goes everywhere. This design keeps things tidy while still offering a large walk-in shower,” he says. Since completion, both homes have sold and are now owner-occupied. Vincent recently caught up with the owners over coffee and was pleased to hear they are embracing the cottage lifestyle wholeheartedly – even planting quaint, cottage-style gardens ready to bloom this summer. The Aylesford St project follows on the success of Brooksfield’s earlier developments, including their innovative Ely St townhouses near Christchurch’s central city. There, three homes are cleverly disguised as a single grand Georgian manor, reviving a style once common in the city before WWII. Brooksfield’s focus on timeless design, quality materials, and thoughtful layouts is part of a broader push to raise the standard of medium-density housing in Christchurch and beyond. The company currently has projects underway in Cashmere, St Martins, Somerfield, as well as in Auckland and Nelson. Alongside these developments, Brooksfield is running a house giveaway promotion through to the end of 2025. Buyers who purchase a home this year go into the draw to win a brand-new Brooksfield townhouse at 867 Colombo St. The Gardeners Cottage is a one-bedroom property with a lovely garden, due for completion in November. Vincent says Brooksfield, which has been developing homes for seven years, is driven by a simple goal: “We want to create homes people genuinely love living in – homes that look great, feel comfortable, and improve the neighbourhood.” New Homes | Townhouses Architectural | Alterations TOM 0273623265 WWW.OCONNELLBUILDERS.CO.NZ
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