Working on the second floor of the Lister Building, Nicola Seuren must surely have qualified for one of the shortest commutes in Auckland when she bought this freehold corner apartment on the sixth floor of the same building.
"The previous owner slipped a note under each door, including our office, to say he was selling," says Nicola.
"The appeal of the building and the location aside, the practicality of living in an apartment was what swayed me. I was single and working a lot so the reality of having to maintain a house and section seemed impractical.
"A lot of the apartments I looked at were new builds, so the Lister felt and looked different. Around that time also there were a lot of issues around quality of new builds. Something built in 1920 really didn't have the same issues."
Nicola understands the Lister, built in 1924-25 and named for British surgeon and medical scientist Sir Joseph Lister, was the first poured concrete building in Auckland. It was designed by Thomas Mullions, influenced by Chicago office blocks. Apartments have gradually taken over what were originally offices.
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As you come into the apartment, you have a hallway looking out on a light well, with the bathroom then the kitchen on the right and two bigger bedrooms, one with a large walk-in wardrobe, straight ahead. On the left is the lounge and the third bedroom.
Being on the north-facing corner, the apartment has views over Lorne and Victoria Sts and to Albert Park. Large steel-framed windows bring in natural sunlight, warming the apartment.
Nicola lived here until she took a job in Europe and has rented it out since. Before she left, the wet-room bathroom was replaced.
"Although it's compact, it does what you need and has an underfloor heater."
Each apartment also has a share of the two communal toilets on each floor.
Nicola says her apartment would benefit from a makeover.
"The kitchen definitely needs a bit of love and attention. The walls are all concrete -- so just simple paint. There are lovely things like the original doors and the rooms have a picture rail."
She thinks the apartment could suit professionals.
"It might be tricky for New Zealanders with young kids to adjust to living in an apartment. That said, people all over Europe raise families in apartments. And beautiful Albert Park is only a few minutes' walk away. I liked to refer to it as my backyard. Retirees would have a great time there. All the transport links are so close."
