Ground-floor entry but elevated

By Donna McIntyre

NZ Herald·

14 Jul, 2017 05:00 PM3 mins to read

The Mews 1/8 Basque Rd, Eden Terrace. Photo / Supplied

Ask Suresh Thadhani what he likes most about his three-bedroom apartment at Eight The Mews and he answers "the shape, especially the pregnant balconies".

It's a wonderful way to describe the voluptuous curves of the balconies of this building, one of the new generation of larger apartments built in the early 2000s, aimed more at owner-occupiers than investment buyers.

Suresh bought the ground-level apartment off the plans in 2002. For the first three years he or other family members lived here full-time. More recently, time has been divided between here and Dubai and India.

"One summer, one winter here, the other seasons, turn by turn here and there.
"But my heart is here, however."

Suresh tells how the three balconies on two sides of his corner apartment allow an assortment of views.

"Each room and each angle shows a different view. Basque Park ... Sky Tower.

"You can hear the birds chirping, see the joggers in the park, also witness the serenity of the quiet place."

The balcony by the dining area faces the greenery of pohutukawa between the balcony and road, offering shade and privacy.

The largest balcony, shared by the master bedroom and living area, provides views over the park and the city.

"Auckland's climate is beautiful year-round, you can make this balcony a small greenhouse," says Suresh.

The second bedroom has space on its balcony for a table and chairs to enjoy a morning cuppa while looking over the shared courtyard and the street.

The Eden Terrace apartment is on the ground level as you come in the building's entrance at the top of Basque Rd. However, because the building is on the hillside, the views from the living room and master bedroom are elevated.

"I wanted a house on a hill top - with a garden view and in the midst of city, too!" he says.

"From room to room, you go higher as our building is on a mount. It is like a sunflower, it always faces the sun."

His 111sq m (approx.) apartment has about 34sq m of balconies. It is one of 26 apartments in the building. "Like alphabets A to Z, and seven floors." (Five levels have apartments, two are for car parking).

You have the entrance foyer as you come into his apartment ("No stairs or lift needed," says Suresh), a storage cupboard on the left, and then the family bathroom including laundry.

On the right are two bedrooms, before the hallway leads into the open-plan living (or saloon as Suresh refers to this area) with kitchen (Smeg and F&P appliances) dining and living area. The master bedroom with its walk-in wardrobe and en suite is off to the left of the living area.

The apartments at Eight The Mews have just come out of a multimillion-dollar refurbishment and recladding to address watertight issues. The code of compliance is expected to be issued in August.

As well as recladding the exterior, all apartments have been repainted and have new joinery and double-glazed windows. The building's shared courtyard and central stairwell have also been redone.

Suresh says Auckland will always have a special place in his heart but as he is living in the Northern Hemisphere, the travelling to and from the apartment has become uneconomical. He hopes another family will enjoy "his house on the hill".

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