17/8 Basque Road. Photo / Supplied
When Kathleen Rushworth and Michael Robinson came to look at this three-bedroom apartment in Eden Terrace in 2003, their first impression was it wasn't like other apartments they had seen.
"It was different from other buildings in that the approach to our front door was private," says Michael.
"It had a small entrance lobby and then a hallway to the living area.
"And it was more spacious internally and, with three balconies, externally."
Kathleen agrees, saying she appreciated the feeling of privacy in the apartment, and having lots of space.
Other bonuses were being a corner apartment with windows on two sides, and the boutique building having just 26 apartments, most of which were owner-occupied.
Their apartment is on level six, one level below the penthouse level. There are five floors of apartments and two levels of carparking. Facing northwest, they look over Basque Park and towards the Sky Tower.
The couple lived here until February 2015 but had to move out when the 1990s building underwent remedial work.
The $12 million work includes an upgraded structure, new hush glass, sliding stacker doors, waterproof cladding, roof, landscaped planter boxes and glass balustrades on decks. Still to be completed are the stairwell and garden landscaping.
"We are very pleased with the new look of the building and more importantly that the repair/refurbishment has been very thorough," says Michael. Kathleen thinks the work has given the building an edgy "city" look.
The apartment, currently rented out, has the entrance and hallway leading to two bedrooms, bathroom/laundry and a large storage cupboard. The hallway feeds into the kitchen, with composite benches with timber edging around the breakfast bar, Smeg oven and Bosch dishwasher. The kitchen is open to the dining and living area.
Next to the living space is the master bedroom with dressing area and en suite.
Interior walls are painted white, Venetian blinds are slimline, and there is grey carpet in the bedrooms and living space while the entrance, kitchen and bathroom floors are tiled.
There are thee balconies. The largest is curved and the full width of the apartment. It is accessed from the living room and the master bedroom; there is a smaller balcony off the second bedroom; and a Juliet balcony off the dining area.
Michael says the main balcony was one of their favourite areas of the apartment and they enjoyed many an evening sitting out here with a bottle of wine watching the evening sky as the sun set.
"We had many large family parties here over the years including pre-wedding dinners for both of my daughters," says Kathleen. "This is where the large balcony came into its own.
Especially if it was an evening event and we had the lights of the city in the background."
They reckon a new owner will appreciate the freehold apartment's location, being handy to the city, the university, motorway and good schools. "It is close to Ponsonby, Mt Eden and Kingsland. Lots of handy restaurants and cafes."
The couple now live in Greytown. They moved to Waiheke first when the remedial work started in 2015, and then moved south to be closer to their grandchildren. "Life in Greytown is pleasant, relaxed and suits us now that age is creeping on," says Michael.
They think their apartment will have a wide appeal, from professional workers, through to families or retirees.
It's also ideal for someone needing a lock-and-leave apartment in the city for work purposes or simply so they can travel. The sale includes two side-by-side carparks.
Be prepared to go remote and get creative.