$700m The Point Mission Bay fast-tracked: Generus Living Group to replace entire Eastcliffe retirement village

A much larger village was now needed, he added.

All these buildings will be demolished and replaced by a much larger village. Photo / Jason Dorday

Eastcliffe’s 60 apartments and 28-bed hospital would be replaced by The Point’s 256 apartments and 94 care suites for hospital-level care as well as 250 car parks.

Generus is yet to appoint a building contractor for the new retirement village.

This month, it won fast-track consent to build up to eight levels, described by critics as “enormous” and far too tall.

The sales office (brown building) gives an idea of views from the retirement village site. Photo / Jason Dorday

But Wilkinson said a design competition meant Warren and Mahoney won, partly due to designing five buildings for through-site views rather than one large block.

How the architects had positioned those five buildings on the sloping site, towards Mission Bay, was another plus, he said.

Graham Wilkinson with the scale model of The Point Mission Bay. Photo / Generus Living Group

Apartments would be marketed from $900,000 to above $4m.

“We want the average pricing to be around the average for the whole eastern bay suburbs,” he said, referring to a $2m average.

Wilkinson at the existing Eastcliffe village. Photo / Jason Dorday

He was “very grateful” for fast-track consent because it made a huge difference to such a large scheme.

Consents for earthworks were aimed for the end of this year. Construction would start early next year, he forecast.

The aim is to have the first buildings finished by 2030.

The outlook from existing village towards the islands of Hauraki Gulf. Photo / Jason Dorday

Wilkinson has not bought the 2.4ha site but instead struck a 125-year lease with the iwi.

Generus will make its first payment in August, then gradually pay rising amounts of money as it makes profits from the village, via deferred management fees.

How views may look from the new village planned at the site: The Point Mission Bay. Image / Generus Living Group

“The majority of their funds will be received as a portion of our rewards down the track as the village is developed. The good thing about the iwi is they are patient and have a long-term view.”

None of these low-rise apartments or facilities will survive because they were built during the leaky building era. Photo / Jason Dorday

In 2015, Eastcliffe faced $12m of weathertightness repairs.

The iwi blamed poor workmanship and inadequate project management at the time of construction.

Plans for The Point Mission Bay. Image / Generus Living Group

This month, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones announced fast-track approval for The Point Mission Bay, named after that area because Wilkinson said buildings looked towards it.

Bishop said retirement villages played a significant role in the housing system.

The retirement village is to the far right of this image, flanking the green area of Bastion Point/Takaparawhau.

The development would expand housing and care options for older New Zealanders and support more efficient use of urban land.

Land where The Point Mission Bay will be built, replacing Eastcliffe in Ōrākei. Photo / Generus Living Group

“Demand for retirement villages is set to rise over the next two decades.

“Auckland’s over-65 population is expected to double, from about 228,000 in 2023 to 514,000 by 2053. This will increase the need for the right types and quality of housing to meet changing demand,” Bishop said.

On May 26, the Herald Property Insider column listed 14 major projects fast-tracked from February to May.

Plans for The Point Mission Bay retirement village, to be built on land where the existing Eastcliffe retirement village stands at 217 Kupe St, Ōrākei, Auckland. Image / Generus Living Group

The project has been put at $336m, but Wilkinson said that was only the direct economic benefit.

Only about half of Eastcliffe’s apartments are now occupied. People who lived there would be relocated temporarily while the new project was built, he said.

Instead of the main access being off Kupe St, it will be off Aotea St.

A sales office will open around the middle of next month.

The Point Mission Bay

$700m project by Generus Living Group125-year leasehold land deal has been struckReplacing all 60-units, 28-bed hospital256 apartments, 94 care suites, 250 car parks plannedLand owned by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai RawaAt 217 Kupe St, 95 Aotea St, 106 Rukutai StFive new interconnected buildings plannedFive to eight levels high on one to three-level podiumsCommunal facilities planned for residents, visitors Two pedestrian accessways through site planned

Anne Gibson has been the Herald’s property editor for 26 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.

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