10 minute read
DreamSpace Takapuna
By Aidan Bennett
Being a resident of central Takapuna – and trying to keep an eye on what is going on as the area develops – I always take an interest when something new pops up. During November some online advertising captured my attention for a development called DreamSpace. The futuristic marketing definitely played a part in my interest. But this was a teaser, and to my frustration I couldn’t find out any more info.
Eventually I found out that it was an exciting new apartment development for Takapuna, on Lake Road opposite Sanders Avenue. Fast forward to mid-January and I am part of a futuristic presentation for the purposes of this article. A presentation that blew me away!
DreamSpace is indeed something special. A high-quality luxury apartment development right in the heart of Takapuna that is designed “to recreate the ultimate Kiwi quarter acre dream in the sky”. More on that soon. The method that prospective owners are being educated about DreamSpace with asBuilt Digital’s 360 Immersion Lab experience got me excited. This is like going to the movies with a 360-degree screen that makes you feel like you are enjoying your new spacious home before it’s even built!
DreamSpace is an obsession for passionate young founders of the concept, Annelies Powell and Martin Hebler. It was locally-based Annelies and Sotheby’s real estate marketing dynamo Su Mobley who provided me with the 360 Immersion Lab viewing. I was able to meet and chat with Christchurch-based Martin via Zoom after the presentation.
“DreamSpace is our commitment to help build a city where higher density can enhance our social wellbeing, economic vitality, our sense of community, connectivity, and the environment,” explained Annelies Powell. “This is apartment living without noisy neighbours as every apartment is on its own level without anyone through the walls or in a corridor next door.”
The 360 Immersion Lab viewing session enabled me to experience exactly what the DreamSpace concept is all about. 3D imaging and life-like graphics of the spectacular building, individual apartments and the surroundings enabled me to experience all these things as well as the views from all six apartments that make up the development. It was like being in the respective apartments with 360 degree viewing!
The copy on the very good website for the development is pretty accurate in explaining DreamSpace. “Developed with a combination of passion, integrity and genius, these six outstanding homes have sustainability, personality and luxury, built into every square metre - inside and out. Each DreamSpace apartment has outstanding indoor and outdoor, open-plan living. Balconies are endorsed with the large cantilever decks, framed with planting to elevate your view of the ocean. The upper floors bask in uninterrupted views of our beloved
DreamSpace has a pretty good location with wonderful views The Sky Penthouse has a spectacular roof-top garden.
Rangitoto Island.”
Director Annelies Powell studied Industrial Design at Victoria University giving her the passion for design, problem solving and innovation that is clearly evident in DreamSpace. Having started a business of her own at 23 and taking it to North America, Annelies says she has always had an obsession with providing the absolute best service and the best designed products to her customers. Since returning to New Zealand, Annelies has led DreamSpace to embark on a housing revolution to deliver better, more sustainable apartment living which Kiwis can actually embrace. Her vision for DreamSpace in Takapuna is to bring quality of life back to the busy metropolitan area, while fostering the space, privacy and convenience New Zealander’s obsess over – the quarter acre dream!
DreamSpace co-founder Martin Hebler has a Bachelor of Sustainable Engineering Systems and Project Management – also at Victoria University – which is bolstered by his experience rectifying damage caused by the tragic 2011 earthquakes in his home city of Christchurch. He lives on the hill above Sumner. Managing $5 million to $160 million projects ranging from tertiary education, fit out, infrastructure, structural refurbishment and residential projects, he is astute in all facets of project management.
Martin and Annelies share a passion for sustainability and that is a very big focus in the construction of the DreamSpace apartments.
“By using cross laminated timber, otherwise known as mass timber, DreamSpace will save 162 tonnes of carbon emission versus if we built our core structure in steel and concrete,” says Martin Hebler. “Other options considered were more common choices like solar power. However when we did the calculations for solar at best it would have saved around 5.1 tonnes over 15 years of the life of those solar panels. With cross laminated timber – we’ve selected a product called XLam – we've chosen a path that is 31 times more effective in saving carbon emissions. We are constantly making decisions for materials and construction methodologies considered in such a way that DreamSpace can have the lightest touch possible on this planet. Using cross laminated timber construction will also make things much quieter during construction with less concrete and steel work.”
DreamSpace is being built by award-winning local building company Vivian Construction. Jerram, Tocker & Barron are the architects, Tonkin & Taylor the geotechnical engineers and PTL Structural Consultants the structural and fire engineers. Planning is being done by Scott Wilkinson Planners, Acoustic Engineering Services are the acoustic engineers and Team Cabling are the electrical engineers. Strachan Group are looking after the landscape design and implementation and Matisse the kitchens and cabinetry.
A key ‘take-away’ from my 360 Immersion Lab viewing experience was that DreamSpace has a pretty good location with wonderful views. It is very close to everything that Takapuna has to offer – eateries, boutique shopping etc. – and every apartment has been designed to take advantage of the wonderful sea views. The beach access is only 300 metres away down Sanders Ave.
Four of the six apartments are in the five-storey apartment building at the front beach-facing side of the site. The other two are on the city-side of the site. Clever design has resulted in every apartment having views.
The ‘Sky Penthouse’ has the top two floors (levels four and five) of the front building. Set over two levels, this significant home greets you with open plan arms and a feast for every sense to perceive. With a total floor area of 353 square metres this is spacious – particularly with 133 of the square metres devoted to outdoor living that includes generous balconies and a spectacular roof-top garden. Sky Penthouse also has a three car spacious private garage for all the toys.
The spacious apartments on levels two and three are called ‘The Social’ and ‘The Retreat’ respectively. These each have their own floor and total floor areas of 244 square metres of which 47 square metres is decking and balcony. Like all six DreamSpace apartments these feature three spacious bedrooms and two bathrooms, including ensuite’s for the master bedrooms. These two apartments have their own two car private garage with enough space to keep the work bench, bikes, kayak, toys, whatever!
Co-Founder Martin Hebler shares a passion for sustainability with Annelies Powell that is a very big focus in the construction of the DreamSpace apartments.
This is apartment living without noisy neighbours as every apartment is on its own level without anyone through the walls or in a corridor next door. All DreamSpace apartments feature greenery but The Botanical takes it to another level. 161 square metres of this 376 square metres apartment is exterior garden, decking and balcony!
All six DreamSpace apartments feature three spacious bedrooms and two bathrooms, including ensuite’s for the master bedrooms. Luxury and space is in abundance.
Level one is home to The Botanical. As you would expect with the name, The Botanical is grand and green, breathtakingly poised to render guests speechless. All DreamSpace apartments feature greenery but The Botanical takes it to another level. 161 square metres of this 376 square metres apartment is exterior garden, decking and balcony. This will satisfy those familiar with the quarter acre dream! The Botanical also has a three car private garage.
The Loft and The Garden are the two spacious apartments on the city side of the development.
With incredible design consideration given to the placement of The Loft, when entering you’ll be unequipped for your imminent encounter with the soaring 3.6 metres raked timber ceiling and north-facing floor to ceiling windows. The Loft has a total floor area of 142 square metres which includes 12 square metres of balcony.
An escape from the rigours of everyday life, The Garden is a haven that has been carefully and beautifully designed to provide a feeling of peace, serenity and security throughout the home. The Garden is 192 square metres in size, which includes a 60 square metre open plan kitchen and living, stretching out through the huge ranch sliders and into the north facing 62 square metres of wraparound garden, delivering outstanding indoor and outdoor flow.
The Loft and The Gardens apartments have one covered carpark each.
All DreamSpace apartments come with features and specifications you would expect of a luxury apartment. Matisse designed kitchens (optional light or dark colour palette) with Miele's high-end intuitive appliances are scattered throughout the stunning natural oak cabinetry. The Caesarstone islands provide a worthy seat for the proud, brushed gold finish German tapware (instant hot and cold), whilst the Swedish overhead lighting by designer Niclas Hoflin orchestrates the theatre of the room.
Most include a study nook and an elegant window seat – adding another layer of sophistication to a 'work from home' lifestyle. There is optional Smart wiring and automation throughout for an intuitive, effortless life – even the fire can be lit for your grand arrival home.
At a time when criticism of apartments is often about their size it is refreshing that Annelies Powell and Martin Hebler have come along with their passion for doing things differently. They call it 'high density housing that feels like the high life’. Their passion is to create and accelerate better opportunities for home owners to enjoy sensational, sustainable inner city life. It is pleasing they chose Takapuna for DreamSpace. "We are building spaces which feel like a home in the sky, so lifestyles can be spacious and private yet effortlessly connected and convenient within the hustle and bustle of the city at your doorsteps,” adds Annelies Powell.
I get it. What I also like about it is the amount of greenery that is planned and how sustainable the buildings are going to be. I understand there is even a small commercial tenancy on the ground floor that (when leased) will help to offset costs for the body corporate.
Interested? If you are looking for a luxury apartment on the Shore I reckon you should be. Contact Su Mobley and go and experience the 360 Immersion Lab viewing experience – you’ll love it. It’s like being at the movies – good coffee too! DreamSpace – 433 Lake Road, Takapuna. Visit: www.dreamspace.co.nz
