Vision about to be realised

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 16, 15 September 1987, Page 13

Vision about to be realised

With the first house to be built on the 'Southridge' sub-dvision now very much in evidence (pictured below), the fruits of 12 years commitment to a vision is about to be realised by developer Bruce Wilde of Ohakune. The vision was one of an attractive and harmonious grouping of quality, architec-turaily-designed chalets and apartments set in a park-like environment with panoramic views of Mount Ruapehu.

When Bruce Wilde purchased this 15-acre site twelve years ago it was an undevQloped and unproductive piece of farmland. It certainly required a great deal of imagination to visualize it as it is today - a prime building location with majestic views of the mountain and, from many of the proposed sites, a sweeping 360° panoramic view of Ohakune township, the surrounding hills and, in

the distance, Mt Taranaki. The transformation has been gradual but the results have been rewarding. The well-drained land is now neatly mown and planted with a profusion of plants, trees and shrubs ... some 12,000 of them so far with several thousand more to come! When the Bulletin visited Southridge one day last week the scene was breathtaking ... we hadn't realised that the site had

such commanding views of the mountain and the surrounding countryside. And that's the way the developers want to keep it. To ensure that the views and the sense of space are retained, Southridge has been designed as a cohesive and harmonious entity down to the finest detail of site plans, architectural styles, roof heights and building materials to be used. In this way the Southridge development will avoid the hotch-potch of unrelated architectural styles, materials, colours and placings of houses within individual sections which have, so often in the past, been to the detriment of neighbouring properties.

At Southridge the aim is to provide a total and lasting environment with emphasis on quality so that, when a purchaser buys a chalet or apartment, they will know it will remain unchanged and unaffected by the developments around them ... a good long-term investment for those who may wish to retire here at some time in the future. The buildings will be constructed in 'clusters' of compatible styles - a grouping of pole-houses, a row of 3-storey terraces, a collection of single storey chalets - and in a range of sizes and configurations to suit the individual needs of each buyer. These requirements will be discussed with the Southridge development builder, Rowan Eves of

Ohakune, at the time of purchase to ensure the buyer gets the type of home he or she wants within the overall environmental plan. In addition to the 27 building sections there are plans to provide recreational facilities (tennis courts, heated swimming

pool etc) and a multi-pur-pose lodge. The lodge would serve as a management and administrative centre for renting and security purposes, a conference centre, a venue for social and entertainment activities as well as an accommodation facility.