2016/26 Albert St, Auckland. Photo / Supplied
It was the amazing city and harbour views that hooked this couple into apartment living at the Stamford Residences.
Reyhan and Erdal Demiray had been renting an apartment in the building's 15th floor for two years.
One day Erdal said; "I like it here."
Reyhan said: "I love it here."
As they contemplated buying in the building, Erdal said he wanted an even better view and that would mean going up a few levels.
They had the good fortune to be able to choose between apartments on different sides of the building, settling on this two-bedroom unit on the 20th floor facing west and enjoying vistas over the city, north to the Viaduct, the harbour, bridge and the North Shore, and back to College Hill and the Sky Tower.
The couple, owners of the Midnight Express Cafe in Victoria St, bought the apartment in 2014, a big year for them as it was also the year their son Leo was born.
The purchase made sense. Erdal worked in the city. And once Leo was born and when work commitments allowed Erdal a brief window to look after Leo, Reyhan could take some time out to cycle to St Heliers, meet friends in the city or even pamper herself with a massage nearby at the Crowne Plaza.
As owners, the family also have use of the Stamford's pool, spa and gym.
The freehold apartment has an entrance hallway with built-in shoe and coat cupboards, before you turn left to the kitchen with its Miele appliances, and the open-plan living area with glass floor-to ceiling sliders to the balcony that runs the length of the apartment.
Erdal has set up his office in a corner in the generously sized kitchen, and the couple added shelving in the lounge for their entertainment system and books.
Moving away from the living area is Leo's bedroom and bathroom, and then the master bedroom with its large en suite with bath and shower plus two large wardrobes.
The apartment sale includes the car park — large enough for car and motorbike — plus a storage locker.
But as their son grows, the couple have decided to sell as they want Leo to go to a Steiner school — and the two Auckland schools are in Titirangi and Ellerslie.
"Titirangi was too far for us with Erdal having to work in the city," says Reyhan. So Ellerslie it was.
Leo will start in the playgroup at Steiner next month and the couple have bought a house in the suburb.
But Reyhan says Erdal gives her a ribbing when she takes her favoured position on the couch in the apartment's spacious lounge in the afternoon, with a cup of strong Turkish coffee and some chocolate-coated marzipan — saying if she keeps lying on the couch, soaking in the wonderful views, she might never leave the apartment.
"We are sad to go. I had never planned to leave as we didn't have Leo when we bought,"
says Reyhan.
"This building is secure, lock-and-leave and everything is looked after. The management is great and it has been wonderful here. Especially the view. Ellerslie is going to be a new chapter for us."
Sprawling Northland property looking for new owner with vision.