52 Aitken Terrace, Kingsland, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst
After almost 12 months of fruitless house hunting nearly 10 years ago, Shelley Wright was starting to despair of finding somewhere she'd like to call home.
She wanted a place that suited her then-single status, and was fed up of seeing only houses that needed doing up or tiny apartments in big complexes.
Neither of those appealed, and then she went to the open home for a converted warehouse in Aitken Tce, Kingsland.
"As soon as I walked in the door I was determined that I was going to own it," says Shelley. "I went over my limit but it was worth it."
The two-level, two-bedroom New York loft-style apartment had everything on Shelley's wish list, including good security, ample space, and low maintenance. It also had two undercover carparks and great views from the huge windows in the double-height living area.
"Having the view has been amazing," says Shelley of the outlook over the gully towards Ponsonby.
"We can see so much but nobody can see in, so it is private. The windows also make it light."
Shelley always felt safe when she lived there alone, thanks to the security doors and the apartment's elevation. Then she met her partner Nick and he moved in. It was perfect for a professional couple.
"There are two wardrobe areas in the main bedroom, so we could have his and hers wardrobes," says Shelley.
When they had their first son, Arlo, the apartment again proved its adaptability. "There was plenty of space to have him sleeping in our bedroom to start with," says Shelley.
Arlo later moved downstairs to the second bedroom, which is so large that they put a partial wall in, dividing it in two.
The rear bedroom opens to a private balcony that runs the width of the apartment, while there's another balcony out the front, off the living room. The lower level includes a generous bathroom and several storage cupboards.
The kitchen features a striking stone island, black units and an integrated fridge.
Upstairs, the mezzanine-style master bedroom with stylish en suite has been designed so that you can lie in bed and look through a wall opening to the living room window and the view.
Throughout the home, steel beams used when the original warehouse was converted and apartments built on top, have been left visible, giving it a semi-industrial feel.
There are just four apartments in the building, which was re-clad with FunderMax panels, and has a new code of compliance.
Shelley was unfamiliar with Kingsland when she bought the apartment, but quickly came to enjoy the local cafes and restaurants.
Eden Park and the Kingsland train station are a short stroll away and buses run frequently along New North Rd.
Shelley, Nick and Arlo lived in the apartment until Shelley was pregnant with son number two, Lachie, and they moved into a bigger home.
It was then rented to the managing director of a marketing company for five years. She's now selling to raise money for a business venture.