Property developers Mike Sullivan, Darren Ellis target $1b in projects by 2028, including Christchurch’s tallest new office block

The two met via the property and construction industry.

The skypool at Westfield Newmarket.

Ellis was Scentre’s construction general manager, responsible for the pre-construction and delivery phases of all Westfield/Scentre Group’s major projects.

One of his last big projects for Scentre was the $790m Westfield Newmarket shopping mall.

Darren Ellis and Mike Sullivan at 22 Karori Cres, Auckland, where award-winning luxury apartments have been developed. Photo / Anne Gibson

“A lot of people reach out to Mike to pick his brains or to consider looking at something. A lot of business comes from Mike’s relationships,” Ellis, 51, says of his 68-year-old associate.

Sullivan and Ellis joined forces to expand Countrywide.

The business works in five industry classes:

Commercial, such as 9 Marewa Rd, Greenlane;High-end residential, such as 22 Karori Cres, a double-award winner lately;Industrial, such as the 8.83ha, 88 Quarry Rd, Drury;Hotels, such as Wyndham Gardens, Christchurch;Residential subdivisions such as Clevedon Meadows and Sunderland Park at Clyde.This is a six-level office block with a basement carpark at 9 Marewa Rd, Greenlane, Auckland, built by Clearwater Construction and developed by Countrywide Properties. Photo / CBRE

Sullivan is the managing director of the 42-year-old Clearwater Construction, while Ellis is the managing director of Countrywide Properties.

Sullivan founded Clearwater in the early 1980s, having started in the sector with a Wilkins & Davies cadetship.

Ellis had a 24-year career with Australasia’s largest shopping centre developer and owner, Scentre.

Martin Cooper and Mike Sullivan at a Parnell apartment project show suite. One Saint Stephens is completed.

Clearwater and Countrywide fit together because one builds many of the other’s projects.

Yet the developer is a far newer entity than the builder by about four decades.

Kākāriki Hospital, Greenlane, Auckland was built by Clearwater for Allevia. Photo / Clearwater Construction

Countrywide was only founded in 2012, post-Canterbury earthquakes, when Sullivan spotted southern opportunities.

Sullivan struck a joint venture partnership with local developer Richard Diver, which is how Countrywide was founded.

Mike Sullivan and Richard Diver founded Countrywise Properties. Photo / Countrywide Properties

Countrywide specialised in the south, developing and sometimes fixing many office buildings in Christchurch. Its projects include buildings at 50, 83, 104, 123, 131, and 179 Victoria St and 32 Oxford Tce.

Now, Countrywide plans to build Christchurch’s tallest office tower: a $185m 14-level commercial block with 130 carparks at 56 Worcester St. Construction is due to start in August.

Sullivan has another important string to his bow: he is the majority shareholder in West Auckland-based DH Steel Construction, founded in 1972.

Sullivan owns 75% of Countrywide. Ellis holds the rest.

Mike Sullivan and Darren Ellis of Clearwater Construction and Countrywide Properties, outside their new office block at Greenlane. Photo / Anne Gibson

At Clearwater, Sullivan has deliberately fostered a legacy: many long-term employees are shareholders, all chronicled in a book called Bold Moves which the business has published, giving their profiles and contributions to the company.

Sullivan also fostered a legacy at Countrywide, with Ellis owning a quarter.

At Greenlane, Countrywide has built three commercial blocks, all initially from a relationship with the Marewa Rd landowner, the Kimberley Trust:

New headquarters for that charity on Marewa Rd;The $64m six-level Kākāriki Hospital, with a group of medical specialists beneath the hospital floor, 15 Marewa Rd beside the motorway;The $90m seven-level offices at 9 Marewa Rd, the only one of the three built and owned by the Clearwater/Countrywide partnership. That building has extensive views.The penthouse in the newly completed 22 Karori, on Karori Crescent, in Auckland’s Orakei, sold off the plan for around $17m. Photo / Supplied

Luxury residential has been a big part of the partnership as well, with one of their buildings – 22 Karori Cres in Auckland – taking two major honours just a few weeks apart recently.

Some apartments in the $11.9m range remain unsold there but Sullivan does not appear under pressure, saying a recession was a good time to build.

Mike Sullivan and Darren Ellis at Marewa Rd, Greenlane, Auckland. The seven-level office building behind them was developed by Countrywide Properties and built by Clearwater Construction. Photo / Anne Gibson

Asked if he had any borrowings on 22 Karori Crescent, he said no.

Last year, the sale of a $17m penthouse there was set to have smashed apartment price records.

Having bid on his first job at the age of 26, Sullivan appears comfortable with his place in the market, as well as his legacy with Ellis and the Clearwater and DH Steel Construction shareholders.

Some of the Clearwater/Countrywide projects are listed below.

Christchurch’s tallest new offices

Plans for a $185m 14-level Christchurch office building, 56 Worcester St. Photo / Countrywide PropertiesPlanned for 56 Worcester St, CBD;14-level, $185m building to be completed late 2028;20,800sq m gross floor area;14,500sq m of commercial;130 carparks;To be built by Clearwater Construction, owned by Countrywide Properties. An artist’s impression of how the new offices at 56 Worcester St, Christchurch, could look. Image / Countrywide Properties

Sullivan said this would be Christchurch’s tallest new office building, aiming for a 5-star green rating.

Advanced seismic technology prioritises safety and is aimed at keeping businesses operating, marketing says.

The block is planned to be of a similar standard to a hospital or other essential post-disaster building.

The Tectonus RSFJ damper system, developed by the University of Auckland, will be used.

The building is to be 55m tall, giving wide views which Countrywide says is aimed at setting a new benchmark for premium office space in the South Island.

One Saint Stephens, Parnell

28 luxury apartments;Opposite Holy Trinity Cathedral;Designed by MAP Architects;Built by Clearwater;Developed by Martin Cooper with Countrywide;Construction was completed early last year;One penthouse sold, another for sale.Two units are unsold, including a $15m penthouse.One of two kitchen designs at One Saint Stephens. Photo / Supplied

22 Karori Cres, Ōrākei

Six multimillion-dollar apartments;Designed by MAP Architects;Developed by Countrywide;Built by Clearwater;Won an excellence award from the Property Council a few weeks ago;Won an Auckland and Northland area multi-residential award, NZ Institute of Architects. Award-winning apartment building at 22 Karori Crescent, Orakei, Auckland. Photo / NZ Institute of Architects

Elm Remuera

15 apartments completed 2022;All sold prior to completion;Built by Clearwater;Developed by Countrywide with Martin Cooper.Elm apartments by Countrywide with property developer, Martin Cooper. Photo / Michael Craig

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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