One of east Auckland’s most iconic public buildings is being demolished to make way for a residential housing development.
The long-unoccupied building that occupies 34 Moore Street in Howick served as the Howick Borough Council Chambers and then as Counties Manukau East Police headquarters.
Auckland Council owned the property before selling it, along with numerous others across the city, in an effort to raise money from “asset recycling”.
The site was bought by D3 Development, which plans to build 31 two- and three-bedroom townhouses set within landscaped gardens on it.
Townhouses in the development, named The Oaken Residences, are being marketed for sale by Harcourts Howick. Lifts will be available in some units.
D3 Development director Scott Illingworth previously told the Times stage one of the project is targeted for completion later this year.
It will enhance the community while providing high-quality houses at an affordable price point, he said.
“The Oaken Residences support the Howick village vision for an attractive, lively and walkable village that celebrates its history and provides a strong sense of identity and community.
“Our townhouses are architecturally designed to reflect the aesthetics of Howick using form, scale, and quality materials that complement the historical village and will stand the test of time.”
D3 Development is working to ensure the development meets the essential design outcomes stipulated as part of the sales agreement, including those related to the Howick Village Centre Plan, parking and access, density, sustainability, and design, Illingworth said.
D3 is passionate about delivering sustainable brand-new homes that make everyday living stress-free.
“The Oaken Residences will be highly liveable, well connected to public transport links and local amenities, have excellent energy efficiency, and the option for bike parking and composting.
“We believe they will be an asset to the Howick community.”
In a recent update, Illingworth says five townhouses in the development have been sold unconditionally.
“Over the summer break, with a positive economic outlook for 2024, our enquiry rate has been higher than we have seen throughout the whole marketing campaign.
“Our Harcourts agents … have meetings lined up for people coming back from their holidays to purchase their new homes in the heart of Howick.”
The company’s plans require the removal of the existing dilapidated and unsafe building, which was “no longer weather-tight, but is earthquake prone and constructed from hazardous materials”.
An asbestos removal team was at the site from January 15-17 with the demolition process beginning on January 18 and expected to take about three weeks.
Online marketing for the townhouses by Harcourts Howick state they’re priced from $1,250,000.
“Oaken Residences is a place to call home for all stages and ages, offering relaxed village living within a family-friendly neighbourhood and a wonderful community vibe,” the advert states.
“Genuinely a minute’s walk from the middle of Howick village, alive with its popular cafés, restaurants, boutique shopping, Monterey Cinema, the famous Saturday morning markets, public transport, supermarket, medical centres, pharmacies, parks, bowling club, [and] tennis club.”
