Press Release, Harcourts
For immediate release

Plans to build Christchurch’s largest luxury city apartments are underway

9 March 2017

108 Park Terrace, Christchurch Central

The garden city is one step closer to having its first high-end, large-format apartment building with resource consent for Upper House Apartments lodged this week.

The exclusive development, planned for Park Terrace, boasts four 430sqm apartments and a 680sqm two-story penthouse, all with breath-taking views over the Avon River and Hagley Park. The state-of-the-art properties combine superior design and materials with innovative structural systems to ensure protection from natural disasters.

Property developers Chris and Jenny Stokes say there is a demand for generously-sized properties with five-star home comforts as well as the security, privacy and low maintenance of apartment living.

“Multi-unit apartment blocks are everywhere but Upper House has been developed with luxury and sophistication in mind,” says Chris Stokes, who has been in property development for 20 years. “We want people to enjoy the benefits of an apartment without living in a shoebox. Upper House will be the only large-format apartments on the market that are opulent, stylish and functional.”

The three-bedroom homes are packed with features including 2.7m high ceilings, climate control, large open plan living, media room, home office, laundry and lavish bathrooms.

Each apartment offers two basement car parks, large storage space, a car wash-down area, bicycle parks and a lift that takes occupants directly to their luxurious apartment.

“The outdoor terrace and garden is 50sqm, which is bigger than a double garage! With an outdoor kitchen and gas fire, it’s the perfect place to entertain friends or enjoy a quiet moment to yourself,” says Chris. “The penthouse takes it one step further with a 105sqm upper level including a rooftop terrace garden where you can enjoy endless views of the river, treetops, Hagley’s Lake Victoria and the snow covered Southern Alps.”

Each apartment, designed by Daniel Sullivan and Kate Loader of Architects’ Creative, has a large European-style kitchen with walk-in pantry, breakfast bar and plenty of bench space.

“We’ve used timber veneer and high gloss paint, stainless steel and arabascato marble bench tops combined with a solid oak breakfast bar designed for casual dining,” says Architects’ Creative, Daniel Sullivan. “The combined palette provides a kitchen that not only looks stunning but is also extremely functional.”

The exterior mirrors the quality and distinction of the interior using high quality materials that stand the test of time – and the weather.

“We have chosen concrete panels, Zinc cladding and black anodized aluminium louvres to provide a stoic façade designed to withstand the inclement Christchurch southerly,” says Kate. “There are playful box framed windows to soften the look and large picture windows to maximise the outstanding views while offering privacy and shade.”

Safety as well as sophistication was the priority for Chris and Jenny Stokes, which is why they engaged one of the best structural engineers in the business - Orlando Barcena from Centraus. Orlando worked with Christchurch soil specialists Geotech Engineering to design a pile foundation reaching to Canterbury shingle to ensure solid bearing.

“The foundation and basement design use steel framing with buckling restrained braces, which means occupants are not only protected in the event of seismic activity but any damage can be quickly and easily repaired,” says Chris Stokes.

The resource consent process is expected to take approximately 3 months and once everything is signed off, construction will get underway September this year.

Priced from $3,250,000 - $5,700,000 for the penthouse.

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