When adventurous developers conceive a new project, they like to include some surprises.
Long Bay is increasingly popular with buyers who want the best of both worlds, living close to the coastline and the sea – enjoying sensational views and activities in Long Beach Regional Park, yet with easy access to and from Auckland’s city centre.
Light Box, at 45 Bearing Parade, is the latest offering from Templeton Group and is an exciting new development, consisting of 21 freehold north-facing vertical weatherboard, brick and profiled metal cladding townhouses, situated on top of Long Bay overlooking Ridge Park.
This green space has a toddlers’ playground, adventure equipment, viewing platform, picnic tables and walkways.
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The three and four-bedroom properties have been architecturally designed by Novak+Middleton and each has an atrium (aka, the light box), a stunning centrepiece which brings the sun’s warmth inside in an exciting and innovative way.
In each of these atriums a Japanese maple tree will be planted, adding a zen-like atmosphere to the home around it.
“Long Bay presented an incredible opportunity to help create a master-planned community in a breath-taking location,” says Nigel McKenna, founder and chairman of Templeton Group.
“A key foundation consideration is context – looking at the project through a number of lenses: How do you make the best use of the typography? Who will live in this new community and how will they want to live there? How many bedrooms and living spaces do they need?”
McKenna says that challenging the norm is important and references Covid-19 as an example, wherein people worked from home, but didn’t especially enjoy setting up shop on their kitchen table.
“They want dedicated space for an office, so that’s something my team and I have taken into account.”
McKenna believes that people thrive on interaction with each other.
“While we’re all more digitally connected than ever before, humans are in fact social creatures. A healthy, thriving community is one where people know their neighbours and where they feel safe.
“Planning shared open spaces and hubs where people can meet and gather is important to foster connectivity, inclusivity, enrichment and, above all, a sense of belonging,” he says.
Light Box’s 21 units are contained – in groups of seven – within three main buildings and enjoy outdoor balconies and fenced courtyards.
All have single garages with the flexibility of parking a second vehicle off the street, while others come with an additional single carport too.
The interior decor on offer includes timber-panelled joinery, with dark grey accents. Natural textures and products are celebrated – especially in the kitchens with their smooth stone benchtops and the fully-tiled bathrooms and ensuites.
Juliet Lichtenstein, project sales manager and residential project marketing at Colliers, says that Light Box is fulfilling a real need in Long Bay.
“Part of these properties’ appeal is that they can’t be built out, so your views are protected,” she says.
“The three-bedroom houses have a balcony off the master bedroom while the master suite in the four-bedroom homes enjoy vast views to the north.
“As with everything Templeton Group does, Light Box has been carefully thought through to include a guest powder room on the living level. A fine attention to detail and that’s what makes these homes so special.”
Prices for a unit are between $1.375 million and $1.695 million.
