"I liked the fact that, being completed in 2006, it's a fairly new build but has been designed with the sort of exterior character that blends in with older buildings," Justin says.
"It is made of concrete and modelled on art deco design. When you look at its exterior you notice detailing such as the stepped balconies and pillars."
Justin understands his is one of only three dwellings in the 65-apartment building to feature the mezzanine layout, where upstairs bedrooms and downstairs living are united by a two-storey void with towering double-height windows with hush glass.
"As soon as I saw the high ceilings, the floor-to-ceiling windows and the potential to improve by renovating I knew it added up.
And the location is brilliant. I can head out the door to great bars and restaurants nearby and you can see the Ferry Building just down the road from my balcony.
Justin felt the apartment looked tired and its darker cream decor had dated. He used professionals to renovate the interior, including installing a new kitchen, appliances, bathroom and powder room.
Light pouring in the towering front window and void floods the kitchen-living-dining area which has glass sliders opening to the front balcony.
He says of this outdoor area flanked by pillars and overlooking Queen St: "When you stand out there you feel like you could do a speech to your people."
The kitchen illustrates how complementary neutrals give the decor texture and interest. Its oversized mosaic tile splash-back tones beautifully with its composite benchtop and subtly wood-effect laminate.
Those tiles also feature in the downstairs powder room-laundry and the upstairs bathroom with double-head shower.
The front bedroom looks through the double-height void and windows, and is next to a second bedroom which could also be used as an office.
He altered the position of a wall unit to control temperature upstairs and downstairs and added strip lighting to create natural feeling shafts of light.
Selling this apartment to move into his off-the-plans apartment purchase he feels the renovation has delivered the interior atmosphere and standard of a new-build complemented by the building's exterior character.
