At 7pm sharp on 23 September Aroha went live, a virtual launch livestreamed on Ockham’s website and social media channels. A very 2020 presentation.

“The launch itself went without a hitch,” says Joss Lewis, Ockham’s sales team leader. “But with no audience with us – no oooohs or aaaahs as the scale models were unveiled and the ‘play’ button pressed on our virtual tours – it was impossible to know what people actually thought about it.” She knew by the next morning. “I had a couple of dozen emails waiting for me when I got in. The phone started ringing well before 8am and basically didn’t stop. And our Facebook page was getting peppered.”

The result? “We signed up eight people in that first day.”

And the intense interest has continued in the weeks since.

“Obviously, the red-hot property market has been a factor,” Joss says. “Our Kōkihi development, which is under construction just down the road, sold out in record time.” (the 95th and final apartment at the Waterview site sold in October, way ahead of the development’s 2021 completion). But that, she says, is only a partial explanation.

“People keep telling us there’s just something extra special about Aroha.”
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Location. Style. Community

The first thing is its Avondaleness. “Location, location, location. I know: it could be a TV show!” Joss says, laughing. “Seriously, though, the fact it’s just 8km from the CBD – with brilliant public transport links and a major town centre renewal underway – really resonates with people. First-home buyers – and Aroha includes 47 KiwiBuilds – love it. There’s a real buzz here – this is a suburb of soul. Rent or buy – people simply want to live here.”

The second secret of Aroha’s success is what Joss dubs ‘Ockham style’. “Aroha has our timeless brick and precast concrete look. People know what they’re going to get – they can go look at Tuatahi over the hill, or Modal in Mt Albert. They know what an Ockham development will look like. That they’ll look majestic and age very gracefully indeed. That they will stand the test of time.”

And then there’s the sense of community that the building engenders. “This is something that comes up again and again,” Joss says. “Two residents’ lounges. A pool. And – I think this is unique to Aroha – community gardens and designated gardening room. Our future residents feel they’re becoming part of a vibrant community.”

Most of the time anyway. “This is one of the great things about apartment living.” Joss says. “You shut yourself away if you feel like it. The way our apartments are configured, along the brilliant inter-tenacy soundproofing, really means your home is your castle.

“You’re getting the best of both worlds. And people really seem to love that.”

Interested in Aroha? Call Joss (021 245 5155) or Nick (021 721 915), or pop by our sales suite at 54 Surrey Cres, Grey Lynn. We're open each day (including weekends) from 12-3pm. Right up to Christmas!