One Saint Stephens Apartments wins the Residential Property Award in the 2025 Property Industry Awards
Auckland, 13 June 2025: Auckland’s One Saint Stephens has won the Hawkins Multi Unit Residential Property Award tonight. The project reigned supreme above 13 category finalists at the Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards, the country’s most prestigious property awards programme.
Located in Parnell, a cultural counterpoint to the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the multi-story apartment building was conceived by an enviable list of industry experts. Developed by Countrywide Residences and Experiences by Coopers, constructed by Clearwater Construction, architecture by MAP+, managed by Cooper and Associates, and completed with interior design by Lukas Design, the site is a testament to this high level of expertise.
“The team behind One Saint Stephens is elite, and you can see the experience and knowledge that each poured into the site,” said Andy Evans, chief judge for the awards.
“With One Saint Stephens, we witness their third and most ambitious collaboration. Their previous developments, Outlook Mission Bay and Elm Remuera were already benchmarks of design excellence and lifestyle. This latest project goes even further. It reflects a deep understanding of a discerning buyer’s desire: not just to live well, but to live exceptionally,” said Evans.
A prominent and elevated 2,000m² site previously occupied by two dilapidated Victorian villas, One Saint Stephens stands proudly at the top of Stephens Avenue. One Saint Stephens is surrounded by heritage, with Neligan House, St Mary’s Cathedral, Bishops court, and The Old Delaney sharing the unique geographical position.
The property is also situated on one of Auckland’s most esteemed streets. St Stephens Avenue has long been associated with prominence and prestige, and is currently home to several notable residents, including Sir John Key, former Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Unashamedly contemporary, One Saint Stephens strikes the balance of bringing Parnell into a new architectural chapter, while respecting the buildings that have endured Auckland’s many style evolutions.
From the outside, One Saint Stephens matches sensibility with sensitivity. The site features limestone cladding at the fore and black terracotta at the rear, paying homage to the structures that surround it. Recessed balconies and detailed facades add privacy and shade to the residences.
Although impressive from the outside, interior functionality and spacious apartment living was the main goal of One Saint Stephens. The performance led design of the exterior serves as a calm outer shell. Inside, the airiness and volume of each residence flip the script on urban living, turning closeness to the city into a source of energy, not overwhelm.
Textural contrasts, stone, timber, and Ambitec walls are woven seamlessly into the design, establishing a tranquil backdrop elevated by confident, refined detailing.
The 28 luxury, two-to-three-bedroom apartments include hardwood floors, oak-veneer cabinetry and stone countertops, Gaggenau appliances throughout, and 2.6-3m high ceilings to take in the breathtaking views over Auckland and out to Rangitoto.
What makes these apartments so popular (over 90% of the residences have sold) is the space. Large kitchens, bathrooms, media rooms, walk in wardrobes and storage space are a rarity in the Auckland apartment market, and have been welcomed warmly by those lucky enough to own a residence at One Saint Stephens.
“One Saint Stephens is a masterclass in impressive luxury: an architectural gesture that is redefining what luxury apartment living in Auckland can be. The site earns respect through elegance and intention,” said Evans.
“The generosity of space is physical, but feels emotional. These apartments don’t just accommodate urban life, they elevate it, offering a rare sense of calm and clarity in the heart of the city.”
The amenities at One Saint Stephens are also a stand out. They include a speakeasy bar, restaurant, wellness centre, which can all be booked out privately, and a 78 car garage for all the luxury car enthusiasts (that’s an average of nearly three cars per apartment).
The success of One Saint Stephens is more than a triumph of architecture, it’s a reflection of Auckland’s evolving urban identity. By elevating apartment living to an art form, One Saint Stephens challenges the notion of what’s possible in residential design, setting a new benchmark not just for Parnell, but for urban development across New Zealand,” concludes Evans.
Hawkins Multi Unit Residential Property Award
Best in Category: One Saint Stephens
- Address: 1 St Stephens Avenue, Auckland
- Owner: 1 St Stephens Ave
- Developer: Countrywide Residences, Experiences by Coopers
- Construction: Clearwater Construction
- Architect: MAP+
- Structural engineer: DHC Structural/Civil
- Service engineer: Hydraulic – HSC / Electrical – Elecom
- Mechanical engineer: Degree Air Conditioning
- Building enclosure engineer: Inhabit
- Development manager: Cooper and Associates
OTHER WINNERS IN THIS CATEGORY INCLUDED:
Excellence:
- Aalto, Auckland
- ABSTRACT, Auckland
- Catalina Bay Apartments, Auckland
- Kaweka, Auckland
- Resido, Auckland
Merit:
- Kahu, Auckland
- Light Box, Auckland
- Olympus Terrace, Auckland
- The Greenhouse, Auckland
ENDS