Upscale your lifestyle
Elmbridge Mews is designed for living, built for life.
North Ridge Living’s latest landmark project, Elmbridge Mews, is redefining what downsizing can look like. Nestled in a peaceful, semi-rural pocket off Mairehau Road in the suburb of Burwood, Christchurch, this new community offers 24 elegant, standalone homes purpose-built for the 45-plus demographic – downsizers, empty nesters and semi-retirees who want quality without compromise.
Designed by architectural designer Dean Gant, this mix of two- and three-bedroom, single-storey homes has been created with a thoughtful blend of style, space and function. “We’re replicating what people already love about their current homes – generous living areas, walk-in pantries, great storage and two bathrooms,” says Gant. “It’s all there – just more manageable.”
Sunlight is also a key design consideration. The northwest-facing orientation ensures all-day light and evening sun in the outdoor living areas – a natural warmth often overlooked in new builds. Oversized windows and glazed doors further enhance the indoor-outdoor connection, making the most of the site’s peaceful, leafy setting and stream frontage.
“People forget how important sun is in a home,” says John Shearer, owner of North Ridge Living. “It’s one of the first things we thought about when we saw the site.”
Beyond aesthetics, Elmbridge Mews is built for ease. As both a land developer and builder, North Ridge Living offers a streamlined, fully integrated buying experience. Buyers can customise interiors in just three or four meetings, with options for colours, finishes, landscaping, solar panels and even security systems.
“We’ve spent years fine-tuning efficiencies,” says John, referencing minor tweaks like frame height and Gib panel layouts that can save a full day’s work during the build. “It’s those little things that let us complete a house in just 89 working days.”
Strong teamwork has also been key to the project’s momentum. “We’ve got 130 subcontractors and suppliers involved, and an incredible office team,” John says. “In a sense, I’ve got 100 directors. That’s what it takes to bring these developments to life.”
John brings deep experience to the venture. Before Elmbridge Mews, he independently developed townhouses and founded other property businesses. Seeing the proliferation of high-density developments, he set out to do something different, offering quality, privacy and liveability for a specific life stage.
Each Elmbridge Mews home is freehold, offering long-term value and a true sense of ownership. Kitchens come fitted with Bosch appliances and Trendz cabinetry, and the homes are finished with quality, low-maintenance materials throughout. Additional upgrade options further support individual lifestyle preferences, allowing homeowners to personalise their space to suit future needs, from raised vegetable gardens to carpeted garages.
The build is handled by DaleCo Built, a company recognised with six accolades at the 2023 Master Builder Awards, and one John has worked with for several projects.
A furnished show home is now open at the entrance to the cul-de-sac. With a location adjacent to the thriving Prestons Park subdivision and just minutes from Burwood Hospital, New World, and Christchurch’s eastern beaches, Elmbridge Mews is poised to become a vibrant, future- focused community, without the feel of a retirement village.
