Offering superlative island living in an exclusive address just 30 minutes by boat from Auckland’s CBD, Wawata Estate is in a league of its own.
Nestled on Waiheke Island on a stunning headland between Palm Beach and Onetangi, the private gated property of just 25 lots has evolved from neglected grazing land into something very special – with owner and visionary, Chris Jacobs at the helm.
Chris, who has spent the past five years bringing his dream for the 38-hectare enclave to life, says he recognised the land’s potential from the get-go. “I was living on Waiheke at the time and although starting to slow down, was not ready to fully retire just yet,” he explains. He was looking to take on a project nearby and when he came upon Wawata, he immediately saw an amazing piece of land but covered in gorse and other noxious weeds. “But I pride myself on my ability to think creatively,” he adds, “and saw beyond that initial impression to what it could become.”
What it was destined to be was a parkland dotted with discreet, thoughtfully placed premium residences, a luxury coastal residential estate sitting elegantly across the landscape. Chris says that over the years he has cultivated an ever-increasing respect for the earth, and after researching the rejuvenation of wetlands and farmland could see the land where Wawata lay as being “a prime candidate for restoration as well as an exceptional place to live”.
Those who choose to select a piece of Wawata are making a commitment to the future, with millions of dollars spent on the environment by Chris, who have overseen the planting of 300,000 native trees and shrubs, pest eradication, and restoration of the wetland, amongst other endeavours. Wawata Estate also worked with local iwi and Heritage New Zealand to ensure its significant archaeological sites had been identified and would be protected to the nth degree.
Ensuring an exceptional level of intuitively crafted residences across the estate, a design code has also been established to govern construction. Impeccably crafted homes will lie gently along the landscape – all with generous room for design teams to unleash their creativity and seclusion for residents a given. Several of Auckland’s leading architects have created what they envisage as enviable home designs for many of the lots, with professionals from within the architecture world also securing lots of their own.
“It’s led to some extraordinary design options,” enthuses Chris, “with building platforms ranging up to 5,300 square metres on which to play.
“You wake up every day on Waiheke feeling like you’re on holiday, and I think that’s why so many buyers looking for an escape from busy lives have been drawn here. This special land we call Wawata – meaning ‘to desire earnestly, to long for’ – provided us with a magnificent raw canvas, and now we are more than ready to welcome those looking to secure their slice of a true legacy property.”
To find out more about lots available call Chris Jacobs 021 585 206 or visit wawataestate.co.nz
Words by Helene Ravlich
