David Roos finds it hard to fathom why everyone doesn't live in apartments.
Inner-city living beats commuting any day, he reckons.
Certainly, maintenance and housework are kept to a minimum, and heating is a simple as throwing on an extra layer on the chilliest months whereas normally a T-shirt or long-sleeved top is sufficient inside their warm apartment.
David bought this one-bedroom apartment in lower Queen St's heritage Dilworth Building about five years ago.
He surprised himself at the price he was prepared to go to for the apartment - in retrospect it seems a bargain compared to today's prices.
There are five levels of apartments in the mixed-use 1920s building. The levels have different layouts from when they were converted to apartments in the 1990s.
For example, floors four and five's layouts differ to those on six and seven. "They were done by different developers," says David.
His wife Emily loves the central location, too, as it means they can walk or cycle to their work. They can eat out, meet friends for drinks.
5L/22 Queen Street. Photo / Supplied
There are 20 cafes within five minutes' walk - and there's only one left on their list they haven't tried.
Plus, being towards the back of the building, but still with lots of natural light coming in, they are well away from the street noise.
"We do get good light, says Emily. "I feel it's well ventilated, so it's not musty. And you can see the Sky Tower out the kitchen window."
They like the familiarity and reassuring solidness of the building. And they appreciate the space created by the efficient layout from the entry hallway through to the bedroom, red-doored bathroom and lounge.
The high studs are significant because they add a lofty atmosphere to their 54sq m space.
They have also made small but significant changes, moving the bedroom door to create enough wall space in the lounge for a study alcove, adding electric sockets, shutters to the windows for insulation and quietness. Their kitchen utilises a high Ikea table for the breakfast bar.
5L/22 Queen Street. Photo / Supplied
David was delighted to find, three months into living here, that there is a storage area in their bathroom ceiling. They keep a ladder behind their second entrance door to access this.
"And David, who is in IT, made sure this building got fibre," says Emily. He also convinced the body corp to add a bike rack in the apartment corridors.
Even though they are moving, they will continue to live in apartments.
"We are selling to buy something bigger," says David. "We wanted a patio and another bedroom and then we decided to add a carpark to our list. We have bought another apartment off the plans."
They reckon their Dilworth apartment will appeal to all ages.
"It's the best way to live," says David. "Why would anyone live in the suburbs when that means having to drive everywhere and having to park?"
