8 minute read
Oscar & Co
Lofty heights for Oscar & Co.
Popular Takapuna business Oscar & Co. has recently completed the renovation of a sensational loft space on Hurstmere Road that may well be the best location for a hair salon in New Zealand. Channel Mag’s Aidan Bennett – a regular Oscar & Co. customer over the past decade – caught up with owner Gene Cooksley in midJanuary to discuss their new home and what’s happening in 2021.
Over the past decade Oscar & Co. has developed a very loyal following for their expertise with everything hair. Owner Gene Cooklsey sums up what they do as “modern hairdressing to a professional level” and it sounds about right. This is a very professional business with very high standards; standards developed by Gene over three decades in the business – he had his first salon in Lake Road, Takapuna way back then.
The first 10 years for Oscar & Co. was at 78 Hurstmere Road. With the need for extra space, 12 months ago Gene bought the salon located opposite Oscar & Co at 55 Hurstmere Road (level one) and used it as overflow from the main salon.
“The owner of the financial business located on the same level at 55 Hurstmere was initially looking at expanding his space, but after the first Covid lockdown, and the change in office work habits, his plans changed,” explains Gene. “So the opportunity came up for us to expand into that space. And we took it. Scarily, we took possession of the extra space just as Covid lockdown two came along, but we used that time to strip it all out. We were keen to maximise the entire space, natural light and the iconic views.”
What has been achieved is truly sensational. From early November the entire Oscar & Co. business was relocated to the new loft space and they all love it. Gene’s vision was for customers to walk up the stairs and go wow! With the help of Al Paget from Pipi Design he has achieved that. The beams have been exposed, the 1950s lino lifted and floors polished and the complete space opened up with large windows letting in natural light (and the views!) at both ends.
“I am sure our customers love the fact that they walk up the stairs and are immediately in the heart of the salon where it’s all happening,” adds Gene. "Our team are styling, cutting, washing, mixing colour and doing toners right there. It’s the equivalent of being on the chef’s table in a busy restaurant.”
Oscar & Co. has become the New Zealand hair businesses equivalent of a Michelin star restaurant over the past decade. Gene Cooksley is a leader in the industry and members of his team are also well respected leaders in the fashion sector. Senior stylist Edward is editorial director for Redken, Brooke is an educator and stage presenter for Redken, and Jess is an ambassador for Redken. Oscar & Co. have a very strong focus on education and are also leading the way with sustainability, with 95% of their waste being recycled.
Gene has spent his career in places like Ponsonby as well as Takapuna and only sees good things ahead for Takapuna.
“With the development in our area I can see Takapuna turning into the Bondi of Auckland. While we currently have challenges with Covid and the redevelopment of the main street – there is a lot going on – the future of Takapuna is bright. We are very lucky to live and work around here and I see the changes ultimately bringing quality to Takapuna.”
We are indeed lucky that Gene Cooksley, with Oscar & Co, is investing in the future of Takapuna and the North Shore. If you are looking for that special look for the summer of 2021 then pop along and see them at their new Takapuna loft. I am told the summer (hair) style is all about the '90s: '90s heartthrobs, ‘it-girls’, catwalk supermodels and grunge rockers. With a strong undercurrent of '70s/'80s style curls and cuts/bangs. Probably not for me; I am happy with the six-weekly cut I get from Karoline, one of their lovely team members. But it may suit you?
Oscar & Co. – Level 1, 55 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna Beach. Phone 489-9259 Visit: www.oscarandco.co.nz
Oscar & Co. owner Gene Cooksley at work in their new loft salon.
By Janet Marshall, Colliers North Shore
Office market the one to watch in 2021?
Janet Marshall.
The commercial office, retail and industrial markets have not shared as much limelight as the residential sector over the past few months, but there has been a flurry of activity as interest rates continue to keep existing investors active and attract new investors into the sector.
Some recent examples in the lead-up to Christmas included two floors of 560 sqm in 61 Constellation Drive, Rosedale to Primepac Ltd, 1060 sqm to Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) at 55 Corinthian Drive, Albany, plus a further two 125 sqm office units at 40-42 Constellation Drive, Rosedale.
It would seem that a fast start to 2021 is also in order with a number of leases, including Unit 10/33 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, and both 100K and 222 Bush Road being leased. What Colliers agents have been particularly inundated with are queries from investors scouring the market for quality investments. Yields in the office market are expected to drop to 5% - 5.5% due to demand. However we highly recommend that should purchasers require finance that they seek pre-approval from their bank or discuss with their mortgage broker/bank the timeframe they are likely to require for finance.
While investor conditions seem solid, buoyed by a continuation of low interest rate forecasts, occupier fundamentals remain a key factor that is likely to provide some variation in 2021. While all sectors have had a level of Covid-19 influence, naturally, it is remote working and working from home that are high on the agenda for occupiers and investors alike.
Our most recent office vacancy rate survey for the Auckland CBD undertaken over December, which is reminiscent of the North Shore office survey results we reported in September, shows us that there will be a greater number of options for tenants to choose from overall.
But rather than watching the headlines of rising office vacancy rates, instead focussing on ‘flexibility’ may prove to be of more assistance.
For staff, flexibility includes remote working and WFH as well as having access to a quality office space. For businesses, it will be securing flexibility in office configurations, lease terms and financial contributions where available. For owners, it’s being flexible to retain and secure quality occupiers to stabilise income streams while benefitting from low interest rates.
With this positive start to the year, we foresee a very busy 2021.
Phone: 021 684 775 Email: janet.marshall@colliers.com
Resistance training
Claire Bellingham Over the last year the Covid climate in New Zealand has had a big impact on the way we exercise. Many people have used the opportunity to improve their cardiovascular fitness with walking, biking and online cardio classes. However, it can be difficult to get into a good resistance training routine with inconsistent access to the gym.
An imbalance in focus between cardio and strength usually isn’t an issue for a month or two but a year down the track many people are starting to feel the effects of reduced lean muscle mass – reduced structural stability, functionality and a slower metabolic rate.
There are a variety of types of resistance available to build lean muscle mass. Pin loaded machines are a popular form of resistance training for the recreational exerciser. Machines put your posture and positioning in the right place which can make them a safe and easy choice for people new to exercise and/or exercising unsupervised. They can also be a great tool for rehabilitation because they’re pre-set using only the muscle and angle the machine allows. If you want to return to resistance training after a break this could be a great starting point. The drawback of machines is that they don’t allow a full range of motion or encourage the body to stabilise for itself.
Free weights such as dumbbells require the body to move in a more natural fashion and activate stabilisers as well as main muscle groups. The same goes for body weight exercises such as squats, lunges and press-ups. Stabiliser activation can also be achieved via the use of tools and toys such as TRX, kettle bells, swiss balls and bosu balls. These aim to create complex functional movements that mimic everyday life. Functional exercises tend to be multi-joint, multi-muscle, multi-plane activities using upper and lower body simultaneously. These movements emphasise core control and build strength in stabiliser muscles as well as target muscles. The challenge is that these exercises create a greater risk of injury when they’re performed at pace without supervision. Ironically, many people start resistance training looking for greater functionality and abandon it after an injury with less functionality than they started with.
The best type of resistance training exercise for you will depend on your physical condition and your goals. Some people enjoy complex high intensity exercises, some like lots of toys, some like a lot of traditional free weights and some are most comfortable on machines. Most people like a mix over time. Any type of strength training can burn calories and build lean muscle mass as long as the program is regularly changed around.
Maintenance of lean muscle mass is a significant predictor of health and functionality so it’s important to find a method of resistance training that works for you. If you’re currently in good health with access to the gym then you’re very fortunate compared to many around the world. Take advantage of every opportunity available to maximise your health and vitality in preparation for the winter.
