Auckland trotting club unveils $205m shopping, apartment plan

[Guest]

Doesn't appear to be a helluva lot of development going on???

[Ohokaman 5,844]

On 24 March 2016 at 2:34 PM, meomy said:

Only three (3) Penthouses remain for sale, how many Penthouses are there in each complex?

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1601/S00113/new-urban-village-for-auckland-coming-in-2016.htm

New Urban Village for Auckland Coming in 2016 Tuesday, 12 January 2016, 11:57 am Press Release: Alexandra Park

New Urban Village for Auckland Comes Out of the Ground in 2016

Alexandra Park has already exceeded $120 million in unconditional sales of high-end apartments in its ambitious urban village project set to open from mid next year. What’s more since opening on-site last year, the stunning showroom and life-sized display apartment has welcomed thousands of people through.

“It has been a crazy nine months and the interest has certainly exceeded our expectations. Most of the apartments in stage one are sold. Stage two of the development, which includes Sightline Green and High Street, is now also selling really well,” says chief executive of Alexandra Park, Dominique Dowding.

Topping off a successful 2015, and its 125th anniversary year, saw Auckland Trotting Club win a key Westpac business award late last year. Unusual for a membership-based organisation, the club won the ‘Excellence in Strategy & Planning’ category at the Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2015 – Central.

The award reflected the Auckland Trotting Club’s huge success in securing a stronger and more sustainable financial future which includes the urban village redevelopment on part of its former Green Lane West car-park, and the construction of The Blues new rugby base set to open soon.

Long-time Auckland owned and operated firm Canam Construction is charged with building both projects, with significant earthworks underway in recent months for the apartment buildings and construction imminent.

 

Below the designer-apartments will include boutique retail, cafes and restaurants with the club progressing well with its prime ground floor leases. A new grocery concept for Auckland described by Ms Dowding as “a fusion of a delicatessen, café, and a fresh foods market” was recently confirmed.

Wholesale Distributors Ltd announced that a unique FreshChoice supermarket will be open in Alexandra Park from mid-2017 – set to deliver world-class products as well as exemplary service.

“We’ve put a huge emphasis on quality from day one. This is not just any old apartment development. This is going to be a whole new urban village and community for Auckland. It will give Epsom a much needed heart and in fact its very own High Street no less!”

As well as insisting on first-class retailers and hospitality operators, Alexandra Park has appointed Auckland’s award-winning architectural firm RTA Studio which is working in conjunction with Sydney-based architects Daryl Jackson Robin Dyke.

It has also engaged Canadian expert Joe Hruda of Civitas Urban Design & Planning to deliver a world-class overall environment for the urban village which will include attractive promenades and public spaces and the promotion of alfresco dining.

“By delivering a high-end product our buyer statistics show we’re largely attracting the likes of baby-boomers and cashed-up empty nesters who want to stay in the central suburbs of Auckland in a liveable, attractive, self-sustaining and safe community.”

Ms Dowding says the apartments ‘freehold title’ status is adding to their appeal, as are low interest rates.

“The fact that they’re elegant, spacious, beautifully designed, well-constructed, as well as in the double grammar school zone makes them a very good investment. Although almost all of our buyers so far will be owner-occupiers.”

She says only three penthouses remain for sale.

Alexandra Park is looking forward to another successful year which will see its urban village rise out of the ground.

2016 will also see other exciting ground-floor lease announcements with a total of over 5,500sqm of ground-floor space split beneath three apartment building set to be activated from mid-2017 when the first Alexandra Park residents start moving in.

“Over the coming months and next couple of years Aucklanders will witness one of the biggest urban redevelopment and brownfields transformations in the city.

“How Aucklanders view Alexandra Park will change completely. No longer will it be just the place for Friday Night Trots or a conference. Instead Alexandra Park will truly be a destination for Auckland shoppers and restaurant and café lovers alike. We can’t wait,” says Ms Dowding.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Not a lot about actual Harness Racing is there..?  

 

On 12 April 2016 at 5:10 PM, meomy said:

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1604/S00335/alexandra-park-focuses-strongly-on-its-functions-business.htm

Alexandra Park focuses strongly on its functions business Monday, 11 April 2016, 11:48 am Press Release: Alexandra Park

Monday, 11 April 2016

Alexandra Park focuses strongly on its functions business

 

Without doubt Alexandra Park will be a growing player in the meetings market and is set to drive its functions facilities and convention business harder than ever, says Alexandra Park Sales & Marketing Manager Joel Reichardt.

The move follows the Auckland Trotting Club recently being named the supreme category winner for ‘Excellence In Strategy & Planning’ at the Westpac Auckland Business Awards Best Of The Best 2015.

“Putting some real renewed focus on our function centre is a key part of our strategic business plan. What’s more our functions offering is set to become even more attractive with the opening of our fantastic urban village development on Green Lane West,” says Mr Reichardt.

From the middle of next year Alexandra Park will have the first of its 750 residents moving into apartments as well as some of the country’s leading hospitality operators and a gourmet grocer setting up shop.

“We’ve also got the Blues Super 15 rugby team training here now and they’re often practicing out in the middle of the trotting track. No other functions offering can match that kind of resident star-appeal,” he says.

The Auckland Trotting Club is already a big player in the functions market. In the 2014/15 financial year Alexandra Park hosted 873 events up 12% on the previous year excluding events held on regular race nights.

In the club’s last annual report the food and beverage department was acknowledged for achieving outstanding results. New executive chef Richard Harris was also noted for his improvements to the menus and catering.

 

Mr Reichardt says on top of providing top quality functions and receiving great food reviews, ongoing improvements to its functions facilities is a key element in the club’s strategic vision.

“We’re not just about today, we’re on a continuous improvement programme. Recent refurbishments in the Tasman Room and Top of the Park have proved popular and played a pivotal role during Alexandra Park’s Oaks & Derby Festival in March.”

He says corporates, various associations and clubs, and government agencies remain Alexandra Park’s biggest clients for functions with much repeat business.

“What appeals to a lot of people is our flexibility. We can do big or small, catering from 20 to 700 guests and we’ve got eight function rooms. What’s more we encourage people to make good use of all the outdoor space and facilities we have – right here in the heart of Epsom.”

Alexandra Park as an ideal place for functions, meetings and conferences will undoubtedly get a boost with the opening of its new urban village now under construction.

“This whole development is going to be a real destination and will only strengthen our conference and functions offering. Having additional cafes, restaurants and bars within Alexandra Park will mean people will stay after their meetings or catch up before them. There will be so much more of a buzz around the place as well as some lovely new public spaces to enjoy for those wanting some time out.”

Mr Reichardt says other advantages Alexandra Park offers are its central location, ample and free car-parking, and proximity to public transport, motorway connections, the central city and the airport.

“We offer all sorts of packages for the likes of school balls, private functions, weddings, daily delegates and multi-day conferences.

“Our team really prides itself on providing flexible solutions, tailoring menu and beverage packages, ensuring all audio-visual requirements are easily taken care of, as well as offering expert advice and great value for money,” he says.

For bookings or information phone (09) 630-5660, email enquiries@alexandrapark.co.nz or visitwww.alexandrapark.co.nz

Ends

 

© Scoop Media

Big fucking deal Mr Reichardt. If you knew anything about the place you would know they have been doing all this for years.

[Blue 1,099]

21 hours ago, Brodie said:

Doesn't appear to be a helluva lot of development going on???

Who cares unless you're waiting to move into one.

[tim vince 985]

they are spending plenty on pr spin-  I can only imagine what the traffic is going to be like, bad enough at moment- spose that's Auckland-

[meomy 971]

Undecided Tim, but leaning more towards that it may have been a short-sighted decision to go ahead with.

We are passionate about our racing and feel that the best interests of Racing has been ignored.

In general terms, whilst some say there's a need for more housing in Auckland ( and Christchurch where a similar development on Racecourse and Reserve land has been proposed) we disagree, we need less immigrants here taking what housing we have available.

With an increased population it is only going to get more populated and create more general issues.

As you and others have mentioned traffic is one, there's also the impact on sewerage, water, health and law and order.

 

What steps for example have been undertaken if a person is given "Home detention" or rental accommodation in this complex if they have a criminal history?

If the land is still deemed to be a part of Racecourse land wouldn't that be in contravention of various Racing related Acts?

We have few heritage and Open Spaces, like racecourses recreational reserves as it is, especially in our main cities.

We need to look after better what few open spaces we have left.

[meomy 971]

To give an indication how much of The Auckland Trotting Club/ Racecourse has been swallowed up over the years look at this photograph that is in Huia Homestead in Cornwall Park to see the difference.

It is of concern that once those strolling through Cornwall Park and on One Tree Hill could see across that there was a Harness/ Trotting racecourse and watch the races they will now have those views obstructed by a multi-story shopping/ apartment complex, that in itself doesn't do anything to attract potential patrons does it?

[meomy 971]

The second photograph shows that there may be possible damage likely to occur with the trotting track  at the bend closest to the ASB showgrounds should immediate remedial steps be not undertaken to ensure that section is properly retained in some way, it's only a matter of time that heavy rains hit over the Alexandra trotting park area and then what?

Who will put their hand up and admit they have not exercised due diligence if that area of the trotting track becomes unusable to those whose make there livelihoods  at the coalface within the Trotting/ Harness codes?

Just saying..

[meomy 971]

This weeks progress on the Auckland trotting club site.

[meomy 971]

In regards to our earlier post and the obstruction of views of the horses running around on the Auckland Trotting track, this is looking up to Cornwall Park/ One Tree Hill from footpath level outside the entrance.

In addition it's understood the planting of replacement trees on One Tree Hill is due to take place on 11 June so that in itself may attract more potential patrons back to the trots/ harness racing industry who at this stage can still see them from there when they hold existing racedays.

[meomy 971]

In regards to the water that has been consistently at the near entrance to the sight,including over the height of sunny summer days where one would reasonably expect it to dissipate,  we understand it is in approximately the same location where the old carpark also had water surfacing issues.

That in itself suggests that it's highly likely to be an Artesian well/ spring/ bore in that location.

The land in the area was once farmland and a search on Google shows there are  more still located in the area.

We would like to know what steps those involved in this complex development have undertaken to ensure that it is retained.

Maybe The Auckland Trotting Club could bottle it up and sell it overseas as well as serve it up to it's remaining patrons.

[meomy 971]

Not much car-parking left is there with this also going on.

[Basil 333]

Some of you may be interested in this article in today's NBR Online:

http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/alexandra-park-apartments-sell-rate-4-million-week-sl-p-189464?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NBR%2520Last%2520Call

It's behind a paywall, so if you don't have access it starts like this:

"More than $220 million of high-end apartments have been sold in just one year at Auckland's Alexandra Park – an average of $4 million of sales a week.

The figures have blown even the most optimistic expectations of the Auckland Trotting Club out of the park."

[Ohokaman 5,844]

6 minutes ago, Basil said:

Some of you may be interested in this article in today's NBR Online:

http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/alexandra-park-apartments-sell-rate-4-million-week-sl-p-189464?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NBR%2520Last%2520Call

It's behind a paywall, so if you don't have access it starts like this:

"More than $220 million of high-end apartments have been sold in just one year at Auckland's Alexandra Park – an average of $4 million of sales a week.

The figures have blown even the most optimistic expectations of the Auckland Trotting Club out of the park."

Not much use is it...

[crustyngrizzly 1,702]

It appears to me that if developers see more than 2 people standing on a corner,then they feel it is their duty to build an apartment to house them and a shopping centre to cater for their every whim.

[meomy 971]

Interesting that the NBR has been behind a reasonable amount of publicity for this development at Auckland Trotting Club property.

It's observed that the Auckland Trotting Club have direct access to the NBR site as they are subscribers.

May we assume all potential conflicts of interest were disclosed prior to this project commencing.

Does anyone know much about "Ganellen" who have also done construction projects in Christchurch? And which projects they have undertaken?

 

 

[meomy 971]

On 26/05/2016 at 3:51 PM, Ohokaman said:

Not much use is it...

For those that may not subscribe to NBR, Sally Lindsay has 26 followers on her feed.

Alexandra Park apartments sell at rate of $4 million a week

Sally Lindsay Thursday May 26, 2016 4

Share

Artist's impression of Alexandra Park development

Play NBR radio on

 

 

More than $220 million of high-end apartments have been sold in just one year at Auckland's Alexandra Park – an average of $4 million of sales a week.

The figures have blown even the most optimistic expectations of the Auckland Trotting Club out of the park.

The club is behind the $200 million 32,000m² apartment and retail urban village development over three towers on the club’s Green Lane West carpark.

Construction is well under way on 246 apartments, one of the biggest brownfield developments in Auckland. The first residents will move in in just a year’s time.

Alexandra Park chief executive Dominique Dowding says about 80% of the apartments in stage one and more than 80% in stage two have been sold.

“The apartment boom is happening and interest in the sector is at record levels,” she says. 

Building consents rise
Official building consent figures for new Auckland apartments are well up on the previous years.

Mrs Dowding says despite the number of apartment developments, competition is not hurting. The activity is only adding choice and fuelling interest. 

About 750 people will live alongside the trotting track in one-, two- and three-bedroomed apartments priced between $600,000 and $2 million. The development also includes terraced houses with rooftop gardens.

On the retail side, a FreshChoice grocer has been signed up to a long-term lease and negotiations are being finalised with hospitality operators to occupy some of the 19 ground-floor spaces.

While the club is selling the apartments, it is retaining the ground level retail and leasing the premises.

Mrs Dowding puts the development’s success down to the comprehensively master-planned village, low interest rates, the apartments’ freehold titles and prospects of a strong capital gain.

She says from the first day the trotting club has been determined to show leadership with its high profile development for a city poised to further intensify many central areas through the unitary plan.

Follow NBR on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest news and free on-demand audio from NBR Radio.

Read more from Sally Lindsay

Email Sally: SLindsay@nbr.co.nz

4 Comments & Questions

Commenter icon key: Subscriber Verified

#1 by Phill Roddick  1 month ago

Now is the time to redevelop the entire site and move the racing operations across to Ellerslie. This in turn will breathe some life back into both aspects of racing. As it stands currently both venues have seen their day from a user perspective when considering available amenities.

Reply

• Share  
•  
•  
•  
•  

• 0
• 0

by Anonymous 1 month ago in reply to Phill Roddick 

While they are at it, why not Avondale Racecourse too?

Reply

• Share  
•  
•  
•  
•  

• 0
• 0

by A Verified NBR Reader  1 month ago in reply to Phill Roddick 

This is much easier said than done. The track requirements are entirely different, and in many ways incompatible.

Reply

• Share  
•  
•  
•  
•  

• 0
• 0

#2 by Phill Roddick  1 month ago

There is enough wasted land at Ellerslie that two separate tracks could work perfectly. That is why the suggestion was raised. A little lateral thinking is all that is required.

Reply

• Share  
•  
•  
•  
•  

• 0
• 0

 

[ivanthegreat 1,123]

As a passionate trotting fan I can't believe this is anything other than an urban land grab by property developers ( not that they are invisible ). After all where else could you find another development site in such a prime part of the city ?

By the time we realise we have been duped , those responsible will be long gone with their golden parachute's.

[tim vince 985]

I just wish they would move the big pile of  dirt so I could see the first 100 metres of the straight.

[meomy 971]

[meomy 971]

[meomy 971]

[meomy 971]

Does anyone spot any Health & Safety concerns?

 

Any comments on progress?

[meomy 971]

Not sure if we would like to have to go up and down that ladder the way it is.

It's a known fact Ladder accidents are very common in the workplace & out and about.

Not sure if we would like to be on that scaffolding either, especially on wet, windy days.

[meomy 971]

We are not sure quite what has happened between the 5th and 6th section of the concrete, in the foreground of the 3rd photograph in this set,  if that's a spill or a crack.

Someone else might be able to shed light on that.

[meomy 971]