Medium Density Building with David Reid Homes

The development at 17 Lucerne Road was delivered by Brett Christie and his team at David Reid Homes Auckland Central and West. Brett has been focusing on medium-density building projects in Auckland for the last five years. He has a team that is the foremost expert in the end-to-end intricacies of these building projects and has delivered many medium-density homes in Auckland city-fringe suburbs, such as Herne Bay and Glenn Innes.

Brett keeps an eye on when and how the new rules will come into force, but he doesn’t think it will drastically change the building landscape for high-quality, medium-density developments in Auckland.  

Brett says, “The Auckland Unitary Plan was changed in 2015 to make medium-density building easier, and although rubber stamping of the new legislation by local government may shorten some of the compliance processes, we aren’t seeing these red tape delays impacting the demand for our services. There continues to be strong demand for the type of homes we build. As soon as a perimeter fence is up at development, I get inundated with phone calls.”   

In 2019, 17 Lucerne Road was a typical Auckland property, a weatherboard villa sitting on a hectare section. That same year it was purchased with the express intention of developing it into medium-density housing. Step in Brett and his team, who, over the next three years (with a slowdown thanks to the pandemic), transformed the section into eight medium-density, high-quality terrace houses, all pre-sold.

The approach to medium-density building mirrors David Reid Homes philosophy that is applied to its single-house residential builds. The aim is always to deliver stylish and innovative homes through attention to detail and exceptional build quality. From design to materials to project management, many things go into ensuring that a David Reid home is built to last, which is of utmost importance in medium-density developments when interjoining properties affect each other.  

David Reid Homes also employs a practical element in the design and material selection for medium-density houses. These homes are designed to have low ongoing maintenance requirements. Added to this are a Master Build Guarantee and thoughtful design that future-proofs the property from needing ongoing remedial work. Things such as internal lifts, low maintenance cladding, garaging and specifications that exceed council rules on insulation, acoustic dampening, glazing and inter-tenancy walls mean that homes are warm (or cool in summer), dry and quiet. Providing a comfortable, private sanctuary in the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Low maintenance cladding and roofing at the David Reid Homes Lucerne Road development

With Lucerne Road complete, Brett and his team will focus on the in-progress 748 Remuera Road development and the soon-to-be-started William Central development in Greenlane. The William Central development comprises five new high-spec properties, with only one currently still on the market for pre-sale.

Design render of the William Central development in Greenlane.

Brett says, ”Our clients see the benefit of pre-buying homes at an early stage as they can alter fixtures and fittings to their style and taste. Putting their own stamp on a home makes a big difference, especially those owners wishing to downsize from a family home that, over time, has taken on their identity.”

Whether the pending legislation makes the building of medium-density development more accessible is still to be seen. However, whilst the politicking continues, David Reid Homes Auckland Central and West have the expertise to develop sections, undertake the complete end-to-end development process and deliver high-quality new homes in the Auckland city-fringe.