With large developments like Alexandra Park recently coming to market, Epsom is becoming the new city-fringe destination in Auckland for those looking for higher density, well connected urban living. Developers Lamont & Co are planning to increase the medium-density housing options in this suburb with Symphony303, a 43 apartment-project that will offer one to three-bedroom options. Construction is due to be completed by the end of 2023.

Developers report that they will repurpose the existing building and extend it to five storeys total. “We will strip the original building back to its concrete frame in order to preserve the existing character elements including the generous ceiling height. It will then be extended and two additional levels will be added to create a five-storey building, four levels of sunny elevated apartments on top of a ground floor dedicated to car parks, bike stands and storage units,” says Tim Lamont, half of the twin-brother duo behind Lamont & Co. 

Jasmax has been commissioned to design the project. “Everything in the design process has been considered to create a sense of space and balance. The adaptive reuse of the ex-commercial building’s structure was an exciting challenge and one we hope to repeat on future projects due to reduced carbon impact. Our design response responds to and establishes balance between the vibrant urban context that one gets living so close to a bustling hub like Newmarket and the calm, serene tree-lined avenues of Epsom,” says principal Matthew Downs.

Downs continues by explaining that the design aims to create a sense of “retreat and reset” with an airy, double-height entrance area.

Lamont & Co note that Symphony303 “will offer layout options that include one bedroom, one bedroom plus multi-purpose room, two and three-bedroom units ranging from 43sqm to 111sqm, excluding outdoor terraces which range from 6sqm to 36sqm”. Prices will range from $650k to $2.275M. Construction was due to begin in September with a display suite opening, but this may be slightly delayed due to the current COVID-19 lockdown. Andrew Lamont (the other brother) told the NZ Herald the company was “unfazed” by the lockdown and said, “We’ll get straight back into it as soon as we can”.