7 December 2000

Thirty Mt Roskill pensioners are enjoying brand new homes as part of a long-term plan to improve the overall quality of Auckland City’s 56 pensioner housing sites over the next two decades.

The redevelopment of Three Kings Grove Pensioner Village in Mt Eden Road saw an unstable and outdated 1960s brick-and-tile complex replaced with 25 modern units designed to create a community setting.

Three Kings Grove and the redevelopment of the Elstree Avenue complex in Glen Innes are the first projects from the development programme to be undertaken. Elstree Avenue is fully tenanted while final landscaping projects are completed and is expected to have its official opening next February.

Auckland City’s Deputy Mayor, Dr Bruce Hucker, will officially open Three Kings Grove tomorrow, Friday, December 8.

“The new housing is a sign of Council’s commitment to providing good quality homes for its senior citizens. We hope that those who live in them will enjoy them and have the opportunity to feel part of a community,” he says.

“It is also important that the Council’s income-related rents policy keeps pensioner housing affordable.”

Auckland City completed the $2.2 million project in two stages over two years. Carew & Associates managed the project and EP Maddren Ltd recently completed the second stage of construction.

Kay and Keys Architects created the design, taking into account input from some of the city’s 1700 pensioner tenants. The initial Three Kings Grove design was discussed with village residents and after stage one was completed, feedback from those already living in the new units was also incorporated into the next stage.

To ensure the housing was appropriate for elderly residents, careful consideration was given to the layout, the fixtures and fittings installed and the use of energy-efficient materials. The ergonomically-designed, single-storey units have been carefully laid out around the reshaped cul-de-sac site to create the community feel.

Where once there were 21 units, 15 of which were bedsits, with only two having double bedrooms, there are now 25 units, each with double bedrooms.

Auckland City manager of community facilities, Phillip Ander, says he believes Three Kings Grove sets the benchmark for the progressive upgrading of Council’s other pensioner housing.

“We’re pleased with the success of the project. It’s a good example of how we’re putting our long-term asset management plan into action and producing cost-effective, quality pensioner accommodation,” he says.

“More redevelopments like this will give our residents a better living standard in the same number of units on fewer sites. Certainly the reaction from Three Kings Grove tenants to the new surroundings has been great and that’s what it’s all about.”

ENDS

Reporters/photographers are welcome to attend the official opening at 10am on Friday, December 8 at Three Kings Grove, 947 Mt Eden Road, Mt Roskill. One unit will be open on the day and residents will be at the ceremony.

For further information, please contact:
Deputy Mayor, Dr Bruce Hucker, tel: 376 0246.
Phillip Ander, manager of community facilities, Auckland City, tel: 353 9675.

© Scoop Media