This 800-apartment complex 20 minutes north of Auckland – the largest in New Zealand when announced in 2015 – is part of our portfolio of high quality, higher-density developments. First stage of 200 apartments was completed in 2018.

This project has scale. Four stages will deliver around 800 apartments on the two-hectare site in Albany. Phase one – 200 one to four-bedroom balcony apartments, plus ground-floor commercial spaces – opened for business in late 2018.

Scale brings a particular challenge: how to create a place for people, rather than a collection of units that does nothing more than meet financial objectives.

We believe amenity – architect-speak for all the things that make living somewhere enjoyable – is at the heart of creating great places. And Rose Garden Apartments has great amenity: good transport links, it’s a stone’s throw from a major shopping centre and a huge park, and it faces an attractively landscaped lake. So our masterplan orientated the buildings to make the most of them.

We believe higher-density living done well is a vital, positive choice for our cities.

Apartments have zig-zag frontages that give great views of the lake, central green spaces enjoy views of the bush-clad ridge to the north, and wide walkways flow to the lake. Underground car parks mean residents see more landscaping and fewer parked cars.

Then we considered the living experience. We created a series of buildings within a unified design so that forms and materials shift as you move through the complex, adding interest and character. A balance of public and private realms creates a sense of openness, ownership and security, and landscaped greenery winds through courtyards and public areas. On the ground floor shops and restaurants will create a vibrant atmosphere that warms the public plazas.