The Onehunga Mall Club
Way back in 1973, Queen Street Onehunga was closed to traffic, renamed Onehunga Mall and reopened as a pedestrian shopping precinct. And though the Mall opened to cars again in 1996, it retains that friendly, bustling village feel of earlier days and is tipped as one of Auckland’s most desirable up-and-coming suburbs.
In the heart of that village, where the local Workingmen’s Club once stood, a landmark tower with large and liveable apartments will rise, offering residents outlooks to the four corners of Auckland.
This is the second Onehunga project for seasoned developers Andrew and Tim Lamont of Lamont & Co, the company behind a number of successful urban living precincts, including SKHY on Khyber Pass, which won the 2020 NZ Architecture Award for multi-unit housing, and Fabric of Onehunga, a pocket neighbourhood between Spring Street and Victoria Street. Just like Fabric, The O.M.C apartments have captured the attention of home owners and seasoned investors, all moving quickly to choose their point of view.
Looking at the project, it’s little wonder. The 1,808m2 site at 158 Onehunga Mall will set a quality benchmark, offering 102 homes over eight storeys, each with either one or two bedrooms ranging from 50-94sqm, excluding balconies and terraces. Designed by Ashton Mitchell Architects and to be built by Kalmar Construction, The Onehunga Mall Club is set to offer exceptional contemporary living among the evolving heritage suburb of Onehunga, with plenty of nods to the rich historic setting.
Andrew Lamont, director of Lamont & Co. says: “We wanted to provide architecturally stunning, high quality housing in Onehunga, and have worked carefully with our architects and planners to redefine what quality apartment living looks like.
“The Onehunga Mall Club will enrich the already vibrant social fabric of the area. Located in the heart of one of Auckland’s most upcoming suburbs, The O.M.C will appeal to first-home buyers, professionals, downsizers and investors alike.”
Historic nod, modern twist
Designed with brick construction on the majority of the exterior, recessed entries on the street and proportions that are in keeping with the rest of heritage buildings along the Mall, The O.M.C retains the heritage of the Workingmen’s Club that once stood in its place, says Clifford Paul of Ashton Mitchell Architects.
“Onehunga Mall has a rich history. We wanted to be part of that history but also tell the story of now. We’re not trying to replicate. We’re the new kid on the block. We’re forming a ribbon in time of good urban contributions from each era.”
“A lot of the design cues have been taken from the previous Workingmen’s Club. You will see that in the signage, the wayfinding, patterning in walls and screens, mesh in the carpark – inspiration has been taken from the rich textures of the Workingmen’s Club carpet design. We’ll incorporate some of those nostalgic elements. It’s a place where people came to have a yarn and a social time and we want to take that history forward.
Quality bones
There is nostalgia aplenty here. Yet the nods to history combine with a modern feel and all the trimmings that you’d expect of a high quality Auckland apartment.
The design is unmistakably contemporary, with quality built into the bones of the building. Set back from the road so as not to disrupt the feel of the frontage, levels above the podium offer 360 degree views of One Tree Hill, the greenery of Mt Wellington and Māngere Bridge, the drama of the Manukau Harbour and Heads beyond; outlooks that you’ll be able to enjoy from your balcony or terrace, some as large as 48sqm.
Space maximised
Inside, the apartments are efficiently designed. Every square metre is considered, says Clifford, so that even the smallest feels spacious and comfortable with adequate storage, and no wasted space.
Each air-conditioned home will be fitted with premium Fisher & Paykel appliances, and will include timber details, carpeted bedrooms and tiled bathroom. Soren Liv designer furniture packages will be available for purchasers convenience.
With podium car parks, bicycle parks, and storage units, as well as 20-30 restaurants, cafes and eateries within a stone’s throw, The O.M.C has all the conveniences of the suburbs with the social life and proximity of the city. Due for completion at the end of 2023, these gems are selling fast.
Did you know…
- Until 1956, a tram line connected Onehunga to Auckland CBD.
- In 1893, Onehunga elected the first woman mayor in the British Empire.
- There was a zoo in Onehunga from 1912 till 1922.
- Onehunga was possibly the first New Zealand village to have a free public library.
- The name Onehunga means a beach composed of sand and soil.
Walking distance to…
- Dressmart Shopping Mall
- Mr T’s Cafe
- Everybody Eats
- Onehunga Neighbourhood Eatery
- The Good Home Restaurant
- Japanese Sashimi Bar Ajimi
- Onehunga Cafe
- Brothers Beer & Juke Joint
- Manukau Foreshore Walkway
- Gloucester Park
- The Landing Restaurant and Bar
- Onehunga Wharf
- Saltwater Burger Bar
- Enchanted Forest Mini Golf
Fast Fact Check
- Address at 158 Onehunga Mall
- Retail at ground level
- 102 apartments – 1 and 2 bedrooms
- 8 storeys elevated over 2 floors of podium carparks
- By Lamont & Co, developers of Fabric of Onehunga and SKHY
- Design by Ashton Mitchell Architects
- From 50-94sqm
- Construction starts early 2022
- Completion end of 2023
- Views to Mt Wellington in the east, Mangere Bridge and mountain in the south, Manukau Harbour to the west and One Tree Hill to the north
- Prices range from $550k to $1.250m
- Display suit is open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 3pm or by appointment
