Apartments widen the range of public housing in Rotorua

Twenty-four mostly two bedroom apartments are proposed for the final stage of the two hectare housing development.

This follows the recent completion of 25 three- and four-bedroom homes and a community house, and expected completion of 12 one-bedroom apartments in mid-2023.

By building three storey apartments, more people can enjoy living in a prime location that connects well to jobs, education, services and transport.

These are high quality, architecturally designed apartments which make the best use of this well located land, in an area of the city identified by the council for higher density housing.

The biggest need for public housing currently in Rotorua is for one- and two-bedroom homes. These 24 apartments will help meet this need for smaller homes, and will suit older people, couples, and small whānau groups. They will also suit many who like a more compact lifestyle, without lawns or gardens to maintain.

The apartments would have lift and stair access, with eight of them accessible to full universal design standards. Mobility scooter and bicycle parking would be included, as well as 22 off-street carparks.

Darren Toy, Bay of Plenty Regional Director, says:

“Our intention with these quality architecturally designed buildings – by Pacific Environments – is to showcase higher density housing done well, with apartment buildings and landscaping which sit well on the corner of this site.

“By building ‘up’ to three storeys more people can enjoy living in this well located part of the city that connects easily to jobs, schools, services, shops and open spaces.

“While we did consider building higher, we are also mindful of the views the community have shared with us in the past about housing density. Residential apartments are new to this area, and we want to show the community what good design at three-storeys looks like, and how well apartment living like this can work.

“With 25 homes and a community house now completed, 12 apartments underway and another 24 planned, I’m very pleased with the progress we’re making on this land to provide much needed housing for Rotorua whānau most in need of a place to call home.”

Following consents, work could start in late 2023, with completion in late 2025.

Across Rotorua more than 300 homes are in planning or construction, with Kāinga Ora working with iwi, stakeholders, build partners and others to deliver more new warm and dry homes quickly.

Some of the recently completed homes