RACHEL DOVEY UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Rachel joined Bayleys Maritime Square in May 2002 as Project Marketing Manager. and for the last six years has been managing the Bayley Maritime Square Residential Office. Her team is highly decorated and a number of them are ranked in the top 10% of Bayleys salespeople in New Zealand, with two of her Ponsonby sales team gaining ‘top achievers’ status last year. Recently Rachel was awarded the Ian McHardy Award, a staff recognition award presented by Bayleys’ principal licensee. Rachel is actively involved in a number of key sponsorships and networking groups in Auckland and she is a mentor for Auckland University’s property degree, providing industry insights to the students to challenge their thinking from a real world perspective. Rachel lives with her husband, Israel Evers - Consultant Chef for Electrolux International - and their ‘three gorgeous cats, Stanley, Darryl and Mo’ in Mt Albert. YOUR BEST FRIEND WOULD SAY OF YOU... “She needs to slow down and smell the coffee.” YOUR MOTHER WOULD SAY OF YOU...“She is determined to the core.”
WHAT WERE YOU GOING TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? A nurse
WHAT ARE YOUR VIRTUES? I believe a person should be consistent, do unto others as they would have done to themselves, think outside the square, remember what it would be like if the shoe was on the other foot, believe in themselves, and that hard work never killed anyone.
IF YOU WEREN’T A RESIDENTIAL MANAGER AT BAYLEYS, YOU’D BE? In MI5 or CSI.
WHAT ARE YOUR VICES? Great coffee, champagne, pineapple Frujus, mini marshmallow puffs
FAVOURITE PONSONBY RESTAURANT? Prego.
WHAT’S YOUR SECRET PASSION? Watching the team dynamics of the All Blacks come together to achieve their goals! WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TALENT? I was making croquembouches for dessert when I was at University. People today still think they are a nightmare to make – but I love it! WHO’S YOUR ULTIMATE ROCK ICON? I grew up listening to U2, they are still my favourite rock group today – especially Bono! WHERE DO YOU SPEND YOUR HOLIDAYS? We often travel to Asia – we love the food and the diversity of the cultures, and the craziness of some of the larger cities. We are travelling to Bali this year to attend a good friend’s wedding. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DESERT ISLAND DISTRACTIONS? The Hangover, Criminal Minds and Simple Minds – ‘Don’t you forget about me.’ THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE AND YOUR FAMILY IS SAFE - WHAT DO YOU SAVE? Our computer hard drive – we have literally thousands of photos from our travels together, wedding photos, and lots of fun celebrations. We would be lost without those memories.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PONSONBY CAFE? Dizengoff.
FAVOURITE PONSONBY STORE? Yvonne Bennetti. YOUR BEST KEPT PONSONBY SECRET? Charlotte at Tribune Osteopaths. WHAT’S INSPIRED YOU RECENTLY? I am a sucker for the underdog, I love to watch people with no or limited skill in a particular area, blossom to be fantastic - it really goes to show that if you set your mind to something you can achieve it! So although they are reality TV, shows like Master Chef and Idol take you through that journey. WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE TO PONSONBY HOME SELLERS? This market is unique in that we have had historically low interest rates for a period of time now and vendors are facing a lot less competition in the marketplace. There is strong buyer demand evidenced by the number of buyers visiting open homes. Consequently buyers have to compete to own properties and adjust their offers accordingly. This is having a positive effect on values in this area. YOUR ADVICE TO PONSONBY HOME BUYERS? Acknowledging the other competition out there looking for homes, buyers have been forced to become more decisive in their buying habits. If you see something you like be prepared to make a decision, be brave! PN
NZTA PREPARES HISTORIC AUCKLAND PUB FOR NEW ERA AUCKLAND’S OLDEST PUB, THE ROB ROY HOTEL (ALSO KNOWN AS THE Birdcage Tavern) is getting a facelift as its owner, the NZ Transport Agency, calls for expressions of interest for the future use of the historic building. As work on the nearby Victoria Park tunnel project nears completion NZTA’s property managers, Darroch Ltd, has appointed Metro Commercial to lease the hotel. The 125 year old building overlooks Victoria Park at the junction of Franklin Road and Victoria Street West, and it will sit in a new plaza developed adjacent to the Victoria Park tunnel and the refurbished Victoria Park Market. The Rob Roy was moved 44 metres from its site in 2010 to make room to construct the tunnel. The 740-tonne building was returned safely to its original site in April and now sits above the southern portal to the new tunnel. “The building structure has been carefully preserved throughout its two moves, and it will offer restaurant and bar operators the opportunity to create a business in a landmark character building set in a spacious north facing location,” says Metro Commercial director Nathan Male.
house a kitchen. “Additionally, the Rob Roy will also have its own dedicated car parks on adjacent land. Customer car parking is a rare luxury for hospitality operators in the centre city,” adds Metro Commercial co-director Martin Hudson.
The building itself is also benefiting from an upgrade, including renovation of the exterior, new floors and services, and a new extension which will be established to
METRO COMMERCIAL, M:021 632 634, T: (09) 309 4499 www.metrocommercial.co.nz
98 PONSONBY NEWS+ July 2011
Metro Commercial is marketing the hotel on behalf of Darroch Ltd and is inviting expressions of interest in leasing the property by Friday, 15 July. PN
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