Former camp ground to become luxury apartment development

A former camping ground and motel complex at Orewa Beach is to be reincarnated as a luxury apartment development with developers mindful of the responsibility that comes with owning a high-profile site that has long links with the community.

An artist’s impression of Ocean Point Beach Residences to be constructed on the Orewa beach front.

Ocean Point Beach Residences is a 28-apartment complex to be built on the Golden Sands Motel site on the Orewa beachfront. Initially a camping ground established in the 1950s which evolved to include cabins and then a motel facility, the site is described as ‘an institution in Orewa’ by the agent marketing the new development.

The developers behind the new apartment concept are Orewa Beachfront Apartments Ltd. Its directors and shareholders comprise a group of business people who have long-term connections with Orewa and who currently live along the beach.

The site has been held by various members of this company since 2001, and over the years they have explored numerous ways to develop the site - eventually eschewing a hotel complex and alternative residential development for the low density luxury apartment concept.

The Ocean Point Beach Residences development was publically launched last week with the apartments for sale to the public off the plans. On offer is a range of two-bedroom plus study, and three-bedroom plus study apartments, with secure parking and communal use of recreational facilities.

Ian Inglis of Bayleys Orewa says the public launch was encouraging - with one party signing up for an apartment on the opening weekend and several others expressing early interest.

“The sales process is now underway and we aim to meet the threshold of registered interest within the next couple of months so that construction can commence late this year. We expect the bulk of enquiry to come from Orewa locals, Aucklanders and nostalgic ex-pats’ looking to return to, or have a base, in Orewa,” says Mr Inglis.

The majority of the apartments are priced between $1.1million and $1.9million, and Mr Inglis says to date, the price has not been a barrier to prospective purchasers.

“Given the quality and breadth of the development and what it offers right on the beachfront, people can see the value in the properties. In other residential subdivisions in
the wider Orewa area, you could pay a million dollars and still be 3-4km from the beach.”

Underpinning the design of the apartment development has been a commitment to working with the natural Orewa landscape and making the most of the ocean views.

“The offering is unique; there is no other site on the beachfront of this size. As it borders beach and reserve areas plus has more than 1000sq m of recreational grounds, the site was crying out for a very well thought out design concept. The plans represent a low rise, low density development that sits nicely on the site,” explains Mr Inglis.

“Local architectural designer Bruce Campbell has interpreted the developers’ vision for a low maintenance, modern residential facility that is spacious, comfortable, timeless and understated to allow the Orewa Beach setting to be the hero.”

Orewa Beach has long been a playground for Aucklanders and is a popular retirement area. Mr Inglis says given that it is only a 30 minute drive from central Auckland, commuters could find a good work-life balance with an apartment on the Orewa beachfront.

“The Orewa area is coming of age in regards to infrastructure and services on offer. A new medical centre and Southern Cross facility are under construction, while neighbouring Silverdale is undergoing a transformation with large format retail stores committing to the area.

“Now that north and south-bound traffic has been diverted from the centre of Orewa via the northern gateway toll road, the central boulevard area has been transformed,” says Mr Inglis.

“Orewa is now a real destination - people are intentional about their reasons for coming here rather than just passing through.”

ENDS

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