Haven and a moving postcard of a view

Scene 2 Apartments, 18 Beach Road, Auckland. Photo/Supplied

18 BEACH RD AUCKLAND

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ON OFFER: 100sq m three-bedroom leasehold apartment plus deck and tandem carpark.

PRICE INDICATION: $400,000-plus.

BODY CORP: $6227 a year.

LAND RENT: $9005 a year.

INSPECT: Saturday & Sunday 12.30-1.15pm. Wednesday 5-5.30pm.

ON THE WEB: citysales.co.nz #9352

AUCTION: May 13.

CONTACT: Maryanne Wong, City Sales, 3030 601 or 027 6611 888.

From the balcony of her 11th floor apartment in downtown's Scene 2 building, Connie Chiok looks out over wharves and across Waitemata Harbour to Devonport's Mt Victoria and North Head. She never tires of the 180-degree outlook.

"We see sailing boats and we get first view of any luxury cruise liners sailing into the harbour. I always refer to the views as a 'moving postcard' as you get a different scene each day."

Connie bought the sunny north-facing apartment in 2004 while the 16-floor building with around 108 apartments was being built.

"I had viewed many apartments all over the CBD and still came back to this building for its sensational views, quality, security and central location and the thoughtful inclusion of two carpark spaces for families like us."

Also, Scene 2 has fewer units on each level and four elevators servicing the apartments.

"No waiting and no crowded elevators," she says. "I feel this is a well-built building with upmarket, generous size apartments, imposing ocean view, central location, and efficient and friendly building managers."

Her apartment has a hallway coming in with the three bedrooms all facing city views. The master bedroom has an en suite, and there is a second bathroom by the other two bedrooms.

Open-plan living, full size kitchen (including integrated appliances and a movable kitchen island) and dining open to the 18sq m balcony, which can easily accommodate a barbecue, table and chairs or an outdoors lounger.

Connie says the indoor and outdoor living areas are "perfectly tuned" for entertainment as well as cosy, being a hang-out place for movies at home.

"With the end-to-end sliding doors, we get lots of natural light in the daytime and much warmth is trapped for warmer evenings during winter. In all the years I have lived here, there was no need for additional heating."

Connie says the building is mainly owner-occupied.

"We have a melting cultural pot of retirees, high-ranking executives, young professionals, varsity students and families of numerous races. It is pleasant and comforting to be living among such lovely neighbours."

A manager lives on-site and the body corp covers maintenance of facilities such as the indoor heated lap pool, tennis courts, communal outdoor deck and barbecue areas. And the location is wonderful, too, says Connie.

"Everything is on our doorstep: a 24-hour supermarket, speciality shops, Saturday farmers' market, Britomart and Vector Arena."

Connie and her family lived here for more than four years, moving out when her children completed university studies. She had no trouble finding a tenant who has stayed four years.

"As he was a long term tenant, we were happy to compromise on a lower rental of $900 a week. The going rate for a three-bedroom unit in this building is between $1000 to $1100 unfurnished and higher for furnished units." But now she is selling. "We have dogs and living further away from the CBD suits our lifestyle better."