Hong Kong work opportunities too good to refuse mean Tom Glasgow and Emma Winterbourn will miss out on the thrill of moving into this new apartment on the top level of The Saint on St Benedicts St.
Before the couple left New Zealand, they had sold a character apartment at 29 St Benedicts St, buying this apartment further along the same street off the plans 18 months ago, with the intention of returning to live here when their work contracts finished.
They liked how this boutique building, with only 20 apartments, had all the hallmarks of their other apartment ... brick, steel and industrial, but also some modern architectural flair.
Designed by Paul Brown Architects, The Saint was completed last month. The design includes brick panelling on the building's south wall, with an expressed concrete spine running through its centre.
Acknowledging the area's industrial origins are detailed raw steel and sculptural gabion cages.
For Tom and Emma's apartment's interior, neutral tones were selected to complement the urban expression of modern living and contemporary design.
Emma says they love the look of The Saint, and being on the ridge line provides an amazing view from their fourth-level apartment to the Sky Tower, the harbour, North Shore and the Waitakeres.
"Newton is a cool area of Auckland with a rich history. A little bit edgy, like K Rd. Newton has a bohemian hub of cafes, restaurants, bars, galleries, book stores and boutique shops," she says.
Image 1 of 3: Fancy the mix of new build, character location and CBD proximity? Check this one out
"And Queen St, Ponsonby Rd, Newmarket, Mt Eden, the university are close by. There's also extremely easy access to motorways, buses and the train," says Tom.
"When we lived in the street, being able to walk to work in the city every day was fantastic," says Emma. "Also being able to walk or run up Mt Eden for exercise. Not to mention the many cafes to have brunch at or galleries to browse."
They think the new boutique building's look reflects the history of the area. "We looked forward to waking up to the view and spending time on the deck in the evenings. A private sanctuary while being central to everything and extremely convenient," says Emma.
Their apartment's single level layout has the open-plan Poggenpohl kitchen/dining/living as you come in, with full-height, double-glazed sliding doors opening to the all-weather balcony. The two bedrooms both have bathrooms, and the master bedroom accesses the balcony.
"Facing north-west, the apartment gets sunshine from midday through to the amazing sunsets over the Waitakeres," says Tom.
"A high stud, natural light and open plan is definitely critical when it comes to apartment living. As is a deck with a view that is usable and covered as this blends in with your living space."
The freehold apartment is for sale as the couple are staying overseas longer than they had anticipated.
"We're very sad to have to pass it on," says Tom. "We are getting married and had planned to return to New Zealand this year to be closer to family, but have been lured by work opportunities to stay a few more years in Hong Kong."
They have had a rent appraisal of $860 a week, but think their city pad will appeal to professionals, retirees, empty nesters or single-child parents keen on living in the double Grammar zone.
