It’s dawn in the Waitakere Ranges. As the rising sun reflects off the dew that pools in kawakawa leaves and drip-drip-drips off the tips of ponga trees, the canopy glows an iridescent emerald green that lightens and darkens and ebbs and flows as the sun arcs across the sky.
Now, a taste of the Waitakere has arrived in Ponsonby, with the much-awaited opening of The Greenhouse. Developed by Ockham Residential, The Greenhouse brings a sense of stately luxury to the streets of Ponsonby.
The hero of The Greenhouse is the exterior which has been clad in 150,000 bricks that were handmade and fired in northern Italy, the colour and iridescence paying homage to Tāmaki Makaurau’s lush landscapes.
“I’m a fifth-generation Aucklander and have always had an affinity with Auckland’s west coast,” says Ockham co-founder Mark Todd.
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“I spent years surfing there and I’ve stayed at our bach at Karekare for 25 years. I absolutely love the area, and it’s this love that has been poured into The Greenhouse.”
It took Mark three years to find someone who could manufacture the bricks with the iridescence he wanted. At $11 to $50 per brick, the $1.7 million investment in the cladding alone is testament to Ockham’s commitment to the overall build.
“When the sun is behind you the building glows iridescent green, but when it’s behind the building it’s reflective black and silver. When the sky is grey the building reflects that sombre mood, then the glow returns when the sun comes out again.”
At $11 to $50 per brick, the $1.7m investment in the cladding alone is testament to Ockham Residential’s commitment to the overall build. Photo / Supplied
There are shared facilities, such as this residents’ lounge. Photo / Supplied. Photo / Supplied
Black tones flow through the lobbies, inspired by the black sands of the west coast beaches and Auckland’s basalt cliffs. A subtle feather pattern graces the walls, the lobbies, even the windows at the top of the building, a nod to the unique birdlife that calls Aotearoa’s forests home.
“To some people, the New Zealand bush can seem muted. But then spring comes along, and the canopy explodes with the yellow of kōwhai trees. In summer, everywhere we look is the rich red of the pōhutukawa.
“The tūī is renowned for its colour and iridescence, and the flash of colour beneath a kea’s wing is a wonderful surprise that brightens up the forest. We’ve incorporated surprising natural elements like this throughout the interior of The Greenhouse to ground the building and make it feel like it’s always been here.”
Ockham’s in-house architect Tania Wong’s favourite feature is the arches on the ground floor.
“The Greenhouse is located just across the road from the old Ponsonby fire station which has similarly shaped arches,” she says.
“Many of the surrounding buildings also incorporate arches into their façades. Our elliptical arches are a nod to the local architecture, but we’ve done them in a way that makes them our own.”
Ockham Residential co-founder Mark Todd says the last three years have been the toughest he’s seen in his 25 years in the business. Photo / Supplied. Photo / Supplied
Now that residents are about to move in, Mark is taking a moment to reflect on The Greenhouse’s journey.
“The last three years have been the toughest I’ve seen in the 25 years I’ve worked in the industry. The pandemic caused shortages of materials, labour and skill, and the last 12 months had some of the worst weather Auckland has ever seen.
“But despite what we were up against, the team still finished the building to the exceptional standard we always imagined it would be. Our vision has been to contribute a notable, iconic building to the Auckland skyline, to build a building that we love, and we’ve absolutely achieved that.
“I’m very proud of and humbled by the whole Ockham team.”
Of the 93 premium apartments at The Greenhouse, 21 are still available. Studios are priced from $790,000, one-bedroom plus flexi apartments from $1.4m, and two-bedroom apartments from $1.625m. For more information, visit www.thegreenhouse.apartments.
- Sponsored by Ockham Residential
