Great spot to toast the traffic jams

Apartment for sale at 7C 2 St Martins Lane, Grafton.

7C/2 ST MARTINS LANE, GRAFTON

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SIZE: 220sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: CV $1.01 million (July 2014).

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 11am to 11.30am.

ON THE WEB: bayleys.co.nz/1651551

BODY CORP: $11,640.36 a year.

CONTACT: Julie Prince, 021 894 071, Trent Quinton, 021 894 070, Diane Jackson, 021 315 339, Bayleys.

AUCTION: 2pm, Wednesday, August 10 (unless sold prior).

Looking to cut down their commuting time, Bradley and Romana Raby left Gulf Harbour behind for the city.

But what they didn't factor in was that giving up the "quarter-acre dream" would be so beneficial for them and their two children.

"We used to have a small garden and spa pool and we thought we would desperately miss that but we haven't at all," says Bradley. "For us it was just about getting out of that two-hour commute."

Bradley looks out one of the apartment's picture windows and points to the motorway traffic flowing far below through Grafton gully.

"Now we sit here with a glass of wine, watching the traffic build up and we toast the people down there," he says.

It wasn't just cutting down the commute that appealed to the couple two years ago. Bradley says they were also sold on the "hotel-style" and space of the apartment.

Part of that is down to the apartments having been created in what was a commercial building, giving them a high stud and big windows.

Image 1 of 6: A front seat for celebrations across the city.

Occupying the northeast corner of the building, the apartment's open plan living/dining/kitchen area has views over Grafton gully. Tinted windows wrap around this space, which also includes a music room on the northern side, a glazed box that their son has adopted as his bedroom.

Bradley says he was wowed by the kitchen appliances -- especially the pullout drinks fridge -- most of which are integrated apart from the character Falcon oven range.

On the western side of the building, the guest bedroom looks out towards Symonds St and has its own en suite.

Bradley says it's an ideal viewing point for fireworks off the Sky Tower and the living area's views take in pyrotechnics over the Domain. He says the apartment's elevation also means it benefits from winter sun.

On the other side of the kitchen, a hallway takes you to the second bedroom, which gets morning sun, and the main bathroom. Beyond that, the master bedroom has a walk-through wardrobe to its en suite. It also has a separate entrance.

Bradley and Romana say they have been surprised at the sense of community among people living downtown, and living centrally has made family outings a breeze.

With a business to invest in, Bradley says it is time to sell but they will be looking for somewhere central to live.