In St Mary’s Bay, the former fire station, the Leys Institute and the old post office are much-loved local landmarks that have earned their place through their charm and ability to adapt without losing their essence. Along with the quaint rows of gabled villas, they lend the suburb its particular gravitas, where architecture feels grounded in history rather than in outward displays of ostentation.
Designing within this context was less about making a big impression and more about earning a place over time. For Pillars, an apartment development by Jasmax for Precinct Properties, the challenge was not simply to respond to a heritage overlay, but to contribute something of equal longevity and restraint: a building that could live up to its neighbours.
The name itself plays towards that ambition. Pillars references the vertical expression of the College Hill façade, but also the idea of the architectural pillars driving the design.
The site straddles two very different conditions: the more permissive zoning of College Hill and the fine-grain heritage character of Dublin Street. Adding complexity was an existing resource consent for a previously designed apartment building, one that could have been progressed quickly, but ultimately didn’t align with Precinct’s long-term view.
“When we really looked into that, it just didn’t match our aspirations for quality and design,” says Precinct Properties deputy CEO George Crawford. “To step back as a developer and say, we’re not going to maximise what can be built, we’re actually going to maximise the quality of the outcome — that was a real test for us.”
For Jasmax, that decision created space for a deeper interrogation of the site and its context. The practice’s Head of Design, Shannon Joe, says the design process was grounded in local analysis rather than typology.
“We worked really closely with Auckland Council heritage department and investigated the heritage elements around Dublin Street and in St. Mary’s,” he says. “We discovered beautiful buildings and villas, but we wanted to do a contemporary version of a beautiful box in a different way.”
Rather than replicating heritage forms, the Dublin Street frontage adopts gabled rooflines and scaled façade articulation that read as sympathetic without becoming nostalgic. It is a modern expression that holds its own alongside neighbouring villas, while the College Hill elevation is more sculptural, using GRC ribs and concrete panels to create texture and privacy along a busy arterial route. These elements are not decorative; they actively mediate light, views and outlook, opening northward toward the harbour while maintaining discretion from the street.
The apartments themselves are designed for a specific kind of resident, one deeply familiar with the area and often transitioning from a standalone home.
“We had in mind that there may be people who haven’t previously lived in apartments,” Crawford explains, “and we wanted to tailor to their need for a level of privacy.”
That thinking has informed everything from planning efficiency to circulation, including a lift that serves just two apartments per floor, which is an unusually exclusive arrangement in Auckland’s apartment landscape.
With just 20 apartments, each approximately 200 square metres, Pillars resists the typical hierarchy of apartment sizes. Storage has been prioritised, acknowledging the realities of long-held possessions rather than assuming a pared-back lifestyle.
“When we think about the prospective resident of these apartments, ‘downsizing’ doesn’t quite feel right; it’s actually luxury living in a completely new perspective,” shares Joe.
Interior design continues the architectural narrative, with Jasmax responsible for both exterior and interior to ensure a unified outcome. Natural and textural materials, including timber, stone and concrete, are used for durability and tactility rather than overt luxury. Residents can select from complementary material palettes, offering variation without compromising cohesion.
“Someone can purchase one of these homes off-the-plan and have a similar outcome to if they’ve engaged a high-end architect,” Crawford says, “but they’re not having to endure any of the difficulty of going through that process, while also getting a luxury outcome designed by one of Auckland’s leading architects.”
Environmental performance is addressed through considered planning rather than add-ons: generous balconies for solar control, operable louvres in upper-level apartments, and layouts that privilege northern living spaces while tempering eastern and western exposure. A Homestar 6 target further reinforces the project’s emphasis on longevity.
For Jasmax, the central question of Pillars was always how to design for local people in a way that endures. From the beginning, Precinct challenged the team to create something that would belong to St Mary’s Bay rather than simply exist within it, which meant measuring the project against formidable neighbours.
But rather than competing with these landmarks, Pillars has been conceived as a complementary presence. Its architecture is contemporary in expression while reflecting the same clarity and restraint that make the heritage buildings around it enduring.
Discover the Pillars of College apartments and Pillars of Dublin residences listed by Bayleys Real Estate
Words: Joanna Seton
Pillars in St Mary’s Bay is a premium boutique residential development by Precinct Properties, located in one of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s most desirable heritage neighbourhoods. The development will comprise 20 luxury residences across two buildings fronting College Hill and Dublin Street.
Designed to appeal to discerning buyers, Pillars will offer two unique residential experiences: 99 College Hill will include 16 apartments across four levels, while Dublin Street will include four refined homes that reflect the scale and character of the surrounding neighbourhood. Separated by landscaping, both buildings will include ample secure basement parking for cars and bicycles.
Timeless design and elevated living
With architecture and interiors by Jasmax, Pillars will become a new residential landmark in the area, defined by its sculptural form and timeless design. Each residence will have dual aspects, allowing natural light to flow throughout.
Six ground-floor apartments will include expansive private courtyards, while upper-level homes on College Hill will offer panoramic views of the Waitematā Harbour, Auckland’s CBD and Rangitoto Island, complemented by generous north-facing balconies. The Dublin Street homes will offer either three or four bedrooms, catering to a variety of lifestyles, and have stunning city outlooks.
The design draws inspiration from the area’s natural ecology and heritage character, with the tone and texture of the façade materials echoing the sandstone cliffs that overlook the bay.
