Parnell: The perfect city pad

The living space offers a clean, white-on-white theme - a perfect blank canvas for the new owner. Picture / Geoff Dale

A sleek Parnell apartment has been a luxurious spot for businessman Bruce Whillans to rest his head during the week.

"It's virtually in the city so I can walk to work if I want in under 15 minutes, or stroll home in the evening if I have been entertaining clients down at the Viaduct"

Parnell has long been luring those with a desire for the city within walking distance, and access to cafes, bars and galleries without the late-night revellers of Ponsonby Rd or Downtown.

The Arena apartment building just off Parnell Rd on Heather St - adjacent to Mink, The George and other popular up-scale haunts - is a recent development. It affords all those benefits for people looking for a trendy, secure, manageable home or a pied-a-terre with a pool, gym and no lawns.

Built less than two years ago and paired with the Quest serviced apartment hotel, Arena offers a box seat living spot on the edge of town. Its new modernist architecture has enough of an industrial retro feel to dispel fears of leaking buildings, and the 24-hour staff for the hotel mean someone is always there.

Just on the market is no 403, a two-bedroom apartment with excellent views across some historic brick houses to where the city begins on the flank of the hill.

It can't get built out because the historic houses have a protection order on them, and its generous balcony that runs the width of the dwelling gets that all-important all-day sun.

The city views, including a peep of the harbour and the historic oaks across the valley, are truly a treat from morning to evening, when the buildings appear to go out as their lights come on.

Owner Bruce Whillans bought the apartment off the plans a few years ago and had it fitted out as a foot in the town for he and his wife. They wanted a smart place in the city for their weekly visits from their country house north of Auckland.

"Parnell is vibrant, interesting with its array of shops, restaurants, galleries and bars," says Bruce.

"It's virtually in the city so I can walk to work if I want in under 15 minutes, or stroll home in the evening if I have been entertaining clients down at the Viaduct."

The apartment is bisected into spaces that are united by a very clean, modern, functional, white-on-white colour scheme that offers the buyer a neutral canvas to work with. And it makes it light, airy and very easy to be in.

The first thing you notice on entry is the very workable kitchen that looks like it belongs in a much bigger home, though does not intrude into the apartment's flow. Like a boat galley, everything is in the right place, though in this case make that an ocean-going liner.

Bruce says they wanted a kitchen that was workable - it has a six-burner gas hob, big sink and work bench and ergonomically designed storage cupboards, which offer a range of usefully sized racks and shelves that glide out with ease. Everything has been thought of, from space for spices to a rack for oils and jams.

The cupboards for storing pots, pans and crockery are big and easy to access.

There's also a breakfast bar tucked to one side of the island bench, which houses a sink and dishwasher and more storage equipment.

Next is the dining area, which divides the public space creating a natural break before the roomy sitting area.

Bruce says he and his wife have held some lovely parties in their city pad. Because of the outdoor flow to the balcony - which houses a barbecue - it never felt crowded.

In keeping with the practicality of minimalist design, cupboards have also been built to house electronic equipment with the sound system and internal wiring provided by Soundline. A matching cabinet is the bar and keeps all of the mixers for a party out of the way.

The other half of the apartment comprises the private spaces, which run off the long living space. The master bedroom opens to the balcony as well, and has a specially designed walk-in wardrobe with enough space for even the most serious shoe buyer. The couple had it double racked so no storage is wasted for clothes. It leads on to an en suite and toilet.

The apartment's main bathroom features a full-size bath and toilet, while the laundry is tucked into a perfect space behind the door. There's plenty of storage there, too.

The other room off the living space is the second bedroom, which the couple use as an office, but it is a good-size room that would be handy for a young couple with a child.

Bruce loves the apartment and is only selling because he and his wife have bought something on the waterfront at the Viaduct. The art and furniture, which was chosen especially for the apartment, is all part of the package.