ON OFFER:
Boutique development of five Leuschke Kahn-designed terrace houses. Double-height living, master suite, loft-style study/office, aircon-heatpump and double internal-access garaging. Some with great views, two with gas fireplaces.
Terrace houses range in size from 159sq m to 187sq m including balcony and garaging.
SCHOOL ZONES:
Newton Central School, Kowhai Intermediate, AGGs, Western Springs College.
CONTACT:
Andrea Ritchie and Luke McCaw, Bayleys, 021 906 793 (Andrea) or 021 950 145 (Luke).
This boutique development of five new Grey Lynn terrace houses draws on industrial inspiration right up to its multi-peaked pavilion roofline.
Architect Paul Leuschke, of Leuschke Kahn Architects, says: "That roofline is reminiscent of saw-toothed industrial buildings."
Project manager David Living of developers Scanlan Residential says: "Our goal was to create something unique; a New York loft type feeling and a lot more character than you'll find in many new developments."
His company bought this site a couple of years ago, impressed by its proximity of a short walk from Ponsonby. Back then it only proffered an aged house, single-storeyed despite the views elevation could deliver.
Paul's practice advocating uncluttered, elegant modernism has been the repeat choice of this developer.
He says: "I walked up the top of the hill to take a look and said 'oh fantastic, we're going to get views'."
It's not just the industrial styling of these places that differentiates them from routine apartments. It's also their terrace house format, complete with soaring loft-style upper living.
In practical terms that translates to more space and airiness than standard apartments with layouts ranging from around the 160sq m to 190sq m including their balconies and double garages.
Paul says: "These feel like places you can actually live in without being cramped and wanting to go out all the time."
The five terrace houses vary slightly in layout and views so prices start at $1.65 million, with front and rear spots naturally commanding a premium. They're officially two-bedroom but it's conceivable you could use the uppermost loft-style office area to accommodate overflow guests.
Image 1 of 10: Scanlan development has created apartments that stand out from the crowd.
Construction is plastered concrete block. Macintosh Harris's decor includes softly grey-washed oak floors, carpet and plenty of black highlights such as black tapware and glossy black splashback tiling and blackboard walls.
The stud height of the soaring upper-level double-height living space with angular skillion ceiling comes in around the 6m mark. It is emphasised by double height cathedral windows running the full width of the space.
Below these windows are sliding doors which can be opened up wide to the balcony giving interior living on an open-air vibe. All this north-facing glass maximises northern light, sun and the varying views which span from towards the Waitakere Ranges, across the Upper Harbour and up to Ponsonby and the Sky Tower.
Four of the homes get water views. The front terrace house has lovely vista encompassing character-filled surburban greenery, the ranges and the sea.
Sleek kitchens open-plan with living incorporate black sinks, stainless fridge-freezers and various incarnations of scullery-type set-ups.
Industrially inspired mesh-clad staircases ascend to mezzanine office areas cooled by a ceiling fan. All living areas have heatpumps and the front and rear terrace houses also have gas fireplaces. Mid-level houses a family bathroom and two good-sized bedrooms, one being a master serviced by walk-in wardrobing and an additional en suite bathroom.
Every terrace houses has its own lower level, carpeted internal-access double garage.
Visitors are buzzed through a secure pedestrian gate before going along an attractive walkway. Integrating planters under light shafts deliver a definite sense of arrival. Each terrace house has its own entrance off this walkway.