Parnell: New York migration

A New York-inspired apartment complex makes the most of a neighbouring reserve dedicated to New Zealand's first migrants.

Unit 15, Hudson Brown, 55 Mahuhu Cr, Parnell.

It's not unusual for apartments to overlook tended gardens and lawn areas, but few boast a view of a reserve designed by an award-winning landscape architect.

Garden designer Ted Smyth used mature pohutukawa and totara trees to create a delightful setting at the council-owned Mahuhu ki te Rangi Park on Mahuhu Crescent in Parnell.

The park is named after one of the original waka to arrive in Aotearoa New Zealand as part of the Maori migration between 700 and 1000 years ago. With native trees, pebbled areas and a stream of running water, the park is an impressive sight and provides a little oasis in the centre of the city.

The Hudson Brown apartment complex - which was designed with the brownstone blocks and loft-style apartments of New York in mind - sits between the reserve and other gardens that belong to the old railway station nearby.

Developed by Coltrane Ltd, the 132-unit complex with paved, tree-lined streets comprises four different apartment designs.

Those known as the brownstones have north-facing, tiled terraces that share the view of Mahuhu ki te Rangi Park.

There are three three-bedroom-plus-study brownstone apartments and a couple of two-level, loft-style dwellings left on the market.

Opting for a brownstone design, resident Gary Martin was the first person to move into the low-rise development just before Christmas.

"I was a bit worried about the noise at first as the construction work was still going on, but now that it has finished it's just so peaceful here," he says.

"Having the park right outside is wonderful. Ted Smyth transplanted four good-sized pohutukawa there and the reserve is lined with totara, so it's lovely to look at, and someone else is responsible for looking after it!"

With steps leading up to the front door past a little courtyard with pavers and pebbles, unit 15 opens to an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area, which in turn opens to the terrace.

The study, with built-in shelving, is tucked away to the left just inside the front door.

A mix of light-coloured walls, large windows, recessed lighting, a jarrah floor and integrated kitchen appliances give a contemporary feel to the interior.

The kitchen is at the rear of the living space to leave enough room to throw open the doors to the terrace.

Up the charcoal carpeted stairs, there are three bedrooms, the main bathroom and the laundry, which is cleverly disguised behind cupboard doors in the hallway. The wash tub, washing machine and dryer come with the apartment.

The north-facing master bedroom, which shares the view of the reserve through sliding windows, has virtually an entire wall dedicated to built-in cupboard space.

The tiled en suite is a carbon copy of the main bathroom.

The remaining two-level, New York loft-style apartments are priced from $545,000. With two bedrooms, the dwellings have floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the sea and the port to the north, and the railway gardens to the rear.

All five dwellings have two secure car parks and storage units underneath the complex, and an on-site manager looks after the building.

Vital Statisics

BEDROOMS: 3

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGE: 2

SIZE: Floor area 127sq m.

PRICE: $867,000.

INSPECT: By appointment.

CONTACT: Suzie Paine, Coltrane Ltd, ph 021 976 008.

FEATURES: Neat apartment inspired by the architecture of New York's brownstone buildings with high ceilings, large windows and a courtyard overlooking a landscaped reserve.