Next stage awaiting consent

The next stage in The Oaks on Neville development will be the construction of a 40-bed care facility plus apartments on the former Four Square site, in Neville Street.

The facility will provide rest home/hospital level care for people with reduced mobility, along with medical consultation rooms, and there will be a registered nurse on call around-the-clock.

A feature of the building will be a central atrium, which cars will be able to access off Neville Street. An underground carpark will provide for up to 60 vehicles, and there will be three retail spaces along the street frontage, plus a small 50-seat cinema and wine bar for use by residents and their guests.

About 62 retirement apartments, likely to accommodate around 90 residents, will occupy the four storeys above the care facility.

A resource consent for the building is currently with Auckland Council.

Developer Chris Murphy says the application is compliant under the Unitary Plan, with the only non-compliant part being the removal of a line of small exotic trees along the boundary.

The two large trees on the 2600sqm site – a redwood and a macrocarpa – will be retained.

Chris anticipates that the build will be less complicated than the first stage, with less water issues, given the height of the site. Additionally, the carpark will be available for use by contractors much earlier in the build, which he hopes will mean less congestion and disruption on neighbouring streets.

“The build will take two years, so we’re looking at an opening sometime in 2021. But this will depend to some degree on the sales and interest in the first two blocks.”

Meanwhile, development of a third site on the corner of Whitaker Road and Mill Lane is at least “four or five years away”.

“The 5500sqm site has a river boundary, so any development will need to be carefully planned,” Chris says. “It faces west and north/west so gets lovely afternoon light, and we can see opportunities to improve connectivity in the town by perhaps linking to the riverside walkway that finishes on Elizabeth Street.”

That site is likely to cater for up to 70 two and three-bedroom apartments.

Chris says he doesn’t see demand for the retirement apartments letting up anytime soon.

“The motorway extension and new residential development is going to see Warkworth boom over the new few years. People who used to retire to Orewa now have the option of staying in a place that is familiar.”

Chris also dismisses any suggestion that he could be filling the town up with mobility scooters.

“The older generation isn’t ‘old’ anymore. We’ve already been asked by one resident for a place to store his kayak and we’ll be providing storage for cycles as well. At least one resident has a boat at Sandspit, while others have baches where no doubt they will be spending time.

“Apartment living isn’t for everyone, but there is a demand for accommodation in the middle of Warkworth. Apartments provide a worry-free living environment, and are ideal for anyone who wants to be able to lock up their home and travel or do other things.”