Elegance and charm in the city

8a/22 Emily Place Apartment. Photo/Supplied

EMILY APARTMENTS 8A/22 EMILY PLACE AUCKLAND

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ON OFFER: Freehold three-bedroom approx 184sq m (as per the Certificate of Title) apartment with one bathroom and powder room.

PRICE INDICATION: $790,000-plus.

BODY CORP: $11,268.08 (approx) a year.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 11-11.30am.

ON THE WEB: bayleys.co.nz/1650826

AUCTION: 2pm, April 29 (unless sold prior).

CONTACT: Diane Jackson, Bayleys, 021 315 339, 375 8434; Julie Prince, 021 894 071, 375 7414.

Jennifer has lived in city apartments most of her adult life -- certainly since she left New Zealand to live in North America and Europe when she was 20.

Returning to Auckland almost a decade ago, it was only natural she would live in the heart of the city, and the charm of the character Emily Apartments building won her over.

"When we bought, many apartments were sterile, small, square boxes and we walked into that place and it had character, the high studs, and the floors are solid concrete. The apartment has lovely big columns separating the kitchen from the lounge.

"At one stage, I had 72 plants on the large deck. It was a way of bringing the garden into the city. Here we were in the heart of Auckland, yet it was like a little oasis."

Since she bought this three-bedroom penthouse apartment, Britomart has opened up into something quite special. "It's like any great city I have lived in. Without the crowds, of course. I remember counting something like 37 cafes within a five-minute walk from the apartment."

Her eighth-floor apartment is the largest in the building at almost 200sq m.

Image 1 of 3: A rare chance arises to buy in one of Auckland's older, more characterful buildings

"On our floor it is wonderful. There is sort of an exclusivity -- diverse, eclectic people such as judges and lawyers, a writer, a tenor, photographer and professor. Everyone has a love of the building. I used to have dinner parties and people would say it was amazing, it was like a home."

Her apartment layout has the entrance coming straight into the main lounge and dining area, with the harbour view, next to the kitchen. A hallway leads to the three bedrooms, a large bathroom and a separate powder room. The lounge and dining open to the north-facing deck through ranch-sliders that are placed well to receive all-day sun. The sale also includes a laundry.

"We bought the one on the eighth floor. It goes with the apartment on a separate title," she says.

Emily Place is handy to the university, High Court, restaurants and cafes, theatres, cinemas, ferry terminals and the Domain is only about 15 minutes' walk away.

"I would walk to work in 10 minutes; go home at lunch hour. No trouble with traffic. I don't see why more people don't move into the city; it simplifies your life so much. I seldom used my car."

Jennifer is selling because, as she nears retirement, she plans to have a place in Tauranga close to family and to keep a smaller apartment in Auckland. "I now live in the Connaught, and I have been getting $960 a week rent."