Ido Drent, the actor known for his bad boy roles, has made a surprising career shift, trading in his scripts for construction plans. But this isn’t just any real estate venture; it’s a mission to provide affordable housing for those who need it most. Drent, a former star of the popular TV soap Shortland Street, has launched a massive 87-unit apartment complex in Auckland’s Mount Albert, specifically targeting first-time homebuyers.
Drent’s journey into property development began at Massey University, where he studied property management and valuation before pursuing acting. His company, Elaman, has already left its mark with over 100 completed homes, including notable projects for Kāinga Ora, New Zealand’s leading provider of social housing.
But here’s where it gets intriguing: Drent’s acting career, which included a shady role on Shortland Street from 2009 to 2012, wasn’t fulfilling him anymore. He and his wife Mandy realized they were pursuing the wrong dream. So, they turned to property development, inspired by the impact good housing can have on people’s lives.
Drent’s early projects, such as homes for women rebuilding their lives after prison, demonstrated the transformative power of quality housing. This led to Elaman’s partnership with Kāinga Ora, building social housing developments in response to the media spotlight on people living in motels and cars.
The Olympus apartments, Drent’s latest project, offer a glimmer of hope for first-time buyers, with prices starting at just over $500,000. These units are not only affordable but also built to last, with solid concrete and brick construction and Homestar 6 accreditation.
However, the road hasn’t been without challenges. Drent’s venture faced a setback with the dismantling of KiwiBuild, a government program that provided underwriting for residential developments. Despite this, he remains optimistic and draws inspiration from developers like Mark Todd and Shane Brealey, who have demonstrated integrity and innovation in the industry.
Drent’s story raises an important question: Can celebrities like Drent, with their influence and resources, play a more significant role in addressing societal issues like affordable housing? And this is the part most people miss—the potential for these high-profile figures to drive meaningful change.
What do you think? Is Drent’s transition from acting to affordable housing development a step in the right direction? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s explore the possibilities together.