Victoria Lane Apartments set a new standard

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Apartments in a groundbreaking central Wellington development designed to withstand a once-in-a-millennium earthquake are selling from $665,000.

Victoria Lane Apartments, at 161 Victoria St, will be the capital’s first base-isolated apartment building.

Developer Willis Bond & Co says it will set a new standard in apartment seismic safety.

“We felt that base-isolating the building was a natural next step in the engineering and design process following the Kaikoura earthquake,” Willis Bond & Co director David McGuinness says.

“The base-isolated design and diagrid frame takes the building to the next level in terms of resident safety and seismic performance.

“It’s very exciting to be offering Wellington its first ever base-isolated apartment building.”

The apartments are selling from $665,000 for one bedroom, $785,000 for two bedrooms, and $1.375 million for three bedrooms.

Building is due for completion in early-mid 2022.

Willis Bond & Co is leading the development in partnership with Athfi eld Architects, construction company LT McGuinness and structural engineers Dunning Thornton Consultants. It will be part of the developer’s wider plans for the Cuba Precinct. One of the city’s largest regeneration projects, it encompasses the block north from 106 Cuba St to Dixon St, and west to
Victoria St.

The first stage was Whitireia WelTec’s Te Auaha performing arts campus, the second stage is the transformation of the former Farmers Building into large format character offi ce spaces and premium retail tenancies, Victoria Lane Apartments is stage three and the fourth will be a new commercial
building on the corner of Victoria and Dixon streets.

The apartment building will be set back from Victoria and Cuba Sts to maximise sun and views, which McGuinness says will be safeguarded by height restrictions in the Cuba Precinct and heritage Cuba Quarter.

“We’ve spent a lot of time finessing the design of the building, to ensure it is a fitting addition to the Wellington skyline, and the apartments so that they are sophisticated inner-city homes.

“Athfield Architects have once again done a great job in maximising the site to ensure the apartments are light and spacious and that they get exceptional views of the city and harbour.”

The apartments will be accessed from a pedestrian-only laneway off Victoria St and includes car parking within the development.

As well as high ceilings and expansive frontages, most will have outdoor living spaces and many will include a spare room for guests, a study or media room.

The kitchens will be fitted with Bosch appliances, the bedrooms will be spacious and fl ooring will be a mix of oak and 100-percent NZ wool carpet.

A Homestar design rating of seven is being targeted for the building’s health, warmth and efficiency, with LED lighting throughout, energy efficient appliances, smart energy metering and
double-glazing.

“This collaboration between New Zealand’s leading team of apartment development experts will combine exquisite contemporary design with an attention to detail and standard of finish rarely found in this part of the city,” says Nicholas Reeve, of Ray White, who’s marketing the development with Pano Focas.

“They’ll also stand out for their second-to-none seismic resilience, sustainability, views and vibrant location within walking distance of the CBD, Civic Centre, waterfront and entertainment precincts.”