The property developer set to build on the site of the former Howick Library says she wants to create something “amazing” the community will be proud of.
The old library building sat empty and disused on Auckland Council-owned land in Fencible Drive since 2011 before recently being sold to property developer Ayesha Ashraf’s East Tamaki-based company Habib Enterprises Limited.
It’s since been demolished, with the site now standing empty and protected by security fencing.
Requirements of the development agreement include the new building align with the Howick Village Centre Plan and provide a minimum of three storeys with active uses such as commercial or retail on the ground level.
Any residential dwellings must have at least a Homestar-6 rating and on-site parking cannot be visible from public areas, with entry only from Central Terrace.
Ashraf told the Times her company is in the resource consent stage of the process and has a “beautiful drawing” of how the new building will look.
“We are very delighted with the opportunity to do something for Howick.
“[This is] a brand new building that people will say ‘if you go to Howick you have to visit this site’. It will look amazing.”
She says the building’s bottom floor will be occupied by businesses with apartments on the floor above.
And she has something in mind for the third floor but isn’t yet able to reveal what it will be.
“In the very near future we’ll be able to share the plans of what we’re going to put there, keeping in mind the zoning, the height density, and what is allowed in that area.
“With the [old] building gone and security fencing in place, people know it’s not someone who’s land banking, and we can see good things are happening there for Howick.”
Ashraf says if everything goes smoothly with the resource consent process construction of the new building will start this year and be finished in early 2024.
She says she’s received a lot of interest from locals about her plans for the site.
“We are going to put in beautiful apartments and they’re for local people to buy or lease.
“There are people such as senior citizens in the area and when they move into apartments they want to store stuff and have storage issues so we’re even planning to have storage units in the basement.
“We want to deliver what is needed in that area.”
It would be “ideal” to have a gym, spa, and offices as part of the development, she says.
“The entry will be really royal. Because it was a library it was a memorable building.
“It’s not just a normal site. We want to put those features in so people say, ‘okay, this is amazing’.
“I don’t compromise on quality. Looks are the thing I really go for.”
Ashraf visited Howick village to get a feel for the area and says it reminded her of Ponsonby.
“People were sitting outside cafes and I love the way people work there and they make it their home.
“All of our teams are so excited about the whole venture.”
Howick Village Association (HVA) manager Jane Newbury says the organisation has been in regular contact with Ashraf.
“We’re excited about her plans for the new development. This will breathe new life and energy to the area of the village that has long been forgotten.”
