With fitout finished on the first luxury apartment in the $250m development The International, its developer says it illustrates his project’s superior quality.
And while Gary Groves of Sanctuary Group is happy to discuss every detail of this “sample” apartment, he remains tight-lipped about naming existing buyers.
“We’ve currently sold 75 of 90 apartments,” he says. “And yes, our existing buyers include a number of household names — judges, designers, captains of industry, high-profile sports people, lawyers etc.
“But I’m not mentioning names, because when someone’s spending maybe four million, six million or ten million dollars on an apartment, they don’t want to be reading about that in the paper.”
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(New Zealand businessman and White House aide Chris Liddell reportedly paid a deposit for the $15m entire-floor penthouse, but Gary will only confirm the penthouse has sold).
The International is located on a Princes St perch in auckland CBD and delivers elevated harbour, park and city views. Residences are served by an extraordinary array of luxury amenities.
The starting point for The International was the ex-Fonterra, ex-KPMG building fronted by the 1889 Grand Hotel’s character facade. It’s been completely rebuilt.
The first Level 9 ‘sample’ apartment was prioritised to serve as a showcase. Gary says all of Level 1 to 13 is scheduled for completion by this August/September. The rest — including eight sub-penthouses and the Level 17 penthouse — should be finished by the end of this year.
“What am I most pleased with at this stage? You can see from the sample apartment the extraordinary quality and finishes we’ve achieved are perfectly in alignment with the renderings we produced when we first started,” he says.
“We’re delivering what we said we would, which doesn’t always happen with other developments.
“We broke many records and standards when we first went to market in terms of size, space, amenity and values.
“Buyers recognised The International completely raised the bar for luxury apartment living in New Zealand.
“We’ve sold a few apartments to people who weren’t looking for an apartment. Some residences we’re delivering are as large as typical houses.”
Of 90 dwellings 15 remain available, being one-bedroom, two-bedrooms, two-bedrooms-plus-study, or $6.5 million to $7.25 million three-bedroom sub-penthouses.
The former office building was taken back, claddings and all, to concrete floors between levels and core concrete staircases. Adding two storeys achieved 17.
The finished building’s exterior will incorporate a white steel and alloy cantilevered exoskeleton, which, while decorative, assists with seismic performance.
Princes St’s vaulted, triple-height entrance lobby with concierge is Level Four. Basement parking is off Bankside St. Level Four will also house a cafe and bar, both open to the public.
Its private amenities include a boutique cinema, library, private dining room and outdoor terrace with heated pool. There is also a residents’ wine cellar and gym.
The two-bedroom 178sq m sample apartment showcases the 3m stud. Its large corner conservatory (typical of many residences here) is an all-weather indoor-outdoor space with sliding glass stackers opening to the elements.
Interior designer Rufus Knight’s choices, including wide-board timber flooring, extensive vein-cut travertine and bespoke details, are impressive. Apartments have air-conditioning/heating plus insulation, double glazing and joinery.
Gary believes the location is pivotal. It’s next to the Northern Club, opposite the old Government House grounds, near Albert Park, two blocks from High St and three blocks from Queen St.
The project architects are Marchese Partners and it’s being built by Dominion Constructors.
What you need to know
The International, 9 Princes St, Auckland City.
Options:
A: 1-bd from 65-78sq m; $1.125 million to $1.15 million; exclusive of car parking.
B: 2-bd from 98-178sq m; $1.85 million to $3.25 million; includes one car-park.
C: 2-bd plus study, 143sq m; $2.15 million to $2.575 million; includes one car-park.
D: 3-bd sub-penthouses from 263sq m-328sq m; $6.5 million to $7.25 million; includes two car-parks.
Inspect:
Wednesdays 6-7pm, Sundays 3-5pm.
Contact:
Ross Hawkins, New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty, 027 472 0577 or Jason Gaddes, 021 994 921.
