The revamp of the 32nd-floor apartment incorporates design principles that are in keeping with Indian and Chinese philosophy. Photo / Nick Reed
The revamp of the 32nd-floor apartment incorporates design principles that are in keeping with Indian and Chinese philosophy. Photo / Nick Reed
Businessman turns two apartments into award-winning home with fabulous views.
A rich international businessman who transformed adjoining apartments in the landmark Metropolis tower into a luxury penthouse has put it on the market for $5.25 million.
Perched on the 32nd floor and offering majestic views over Auckland city and the Hauraki Gulf, the sprawling 330sq m pad has won design awards for its bespoke kitchen and bathrooms.
It was built according to traditional Indian vastu shastra and Chinese feng shui principles.
But the immaculate home also reflects a love of Japanese culture - right down to its luxurious metre-deep Kusatsu tub, a nod to traditional Japanese bathing.
The award-winning bathroom with metre-deep Japanese tub. Photo / Nick Reed
The two original apartments have a combined CV of $3.12 million.
The owner has spent the past two years renovating the properties into a high-end four-bedroom, three-bathroom penthouse, which Bayleys agent Duncan Ritchie says would more commonly be found in London or Manhattan.
African artwork and Tibetan-inspired prints adorn the walls, and the generous bookshelves are stocked with literature on architecture, spirituality and a book titled Ten Secrets to Abundant Wealth.
A purpose-built yoga room with its own tatami mats sits next to a tea station and ceremonial samurai sword.
A state-of-the-art cooktop is carefully positioned so the owners can face east while preparing food.
The bespoke open plan kitchen. Photo / Nick Reed
QV records list the current owner as Kinwick Developments Corp, but there is no such listing with the New Zealand Companies Office and a lawyer who acted for Kinwick declined to say where the company was registered.
Mr Ritchie said the owner was a wealthy international businessman in the investment and finance sector. He and his wife travelled to New Zealand about five times a year but had owned numerous properties around the world, including in Hong Kong, New York and London.
The apartment offers majestic views over Auckland city and the Hauraki Gulf. Photo / Nick Reed.
"He travels widely and has a lot of commercial interests.
"They love the greenness of New Zealand, that's what appeals to them - the green lifestyle."
The owner bought the larger of the two apartments off the plans when Metropolis was built around 1999 and added the smaller apartment about two years ago.
Mr Ritchie did not know how much was spent on the refurbishment, which included new wooden floors, high-spec kitchen appliances and marble tiles.
