Newspaper Article 2003 – Slice of heaven in Hawke’s Bay

Slice of heaven in Hawke’s Bay

Hill Country Estate has been a labour of love for an environmentally friendly developer.

Hill Country Estate is an exclusive residential development on the north-western foothills of Te Mata Peak.

The Hawke’s Bay development, in a tranquil setting, surrounded by 100 hectares of park land, is expected to be finished within the next 12-18 months.

Only five of the first 22 sites are still available.

Hill Country Estate is the dream of Hawke’s Bay developer Andy Lowe.

A covenant on the land will ensure a maximum of 47 sites – with every buyer owning a piece of paradise.

General Manager Dave Bloor says covenants ensure there will be no more subdivision, which is part of the estate’s uniqueness.

In keeping with the Te Mata special character zone, nothing will be built above the 180-metre line. Instead, 63ha will be kept in commercial farmland. Below that a conservation park has been created.

More than 30,000 native trees have been planted and hundreds of ground birds, such as pheasants, partridges and Californian quail, released.

Wildflowers, berries, cypress and olive groves and dozens of rare kaka beak have been planted.

Ponds, natural wetland habitat, terraced vineyards, a nine-hole golf course, stables, tennis courts, and an entertainment pavilion are all planned – the developers have created a quality setting in harmony with its surroundings, not just protecting the environment but enhancing it.

“The uniqueness of Hill Country appeals to some very discerning buyers. There is national and international interest, but we’ve been amazed at the interest locally, with about half of the purchasers to date are from Hawke’s Bay,” Liz Lowe, who is involved in the sales and marketing, says.

“It’s the special character of the setting and Andy’s flair for conservation that has made it so exciting and appealing to a large cross-section of the community.”

The road to Hill Country Estate extends upwards from Black Barn Road, through a gateway to this unique, secure, gated community.

The fully-serviced building sites are spaced through the development – buyers have the choice of buying sites ranging from 900 square metres to 4000sq m or a 550 sq m site as part of a European style cluster of villas.

Each of the sites has a fantastic view. These include, vineyards, native bush, mountains in the west, around to Napier, Whirinaki and across Hawke’s Bay to Mahia. What is unexpected from the top sites is the 190 degree view, which also takes in Tuki Tuki Valley and Craggy Range.

“The development has the best of everything. Services have been established to a standard that meets and generally exceeds any council standards in the country. It’s part of our philosophy of quality and the covenants are there so that quality will always be maintained,” Mr Lowe says.

Hill Country Estate is five minutes’ drive from the centre of Havelock North Village, with wineries in every direction. There is a restaurant at the entrance to the estate, as well as the popular Village Growers Market and an amphitheatre for summer concerts.

The sites range in price from $300,000 to $2 million.

“I have travelled internationally specifically to bring home exciting features for Hill Country Estate, a community that I am building in and plan to call home”, Mr Lowe says.

Photo caption – High court: The facilities and view from Hill Country Estate are unbeatable.