"Courtville's are purpose-built apartments.
I love the bay windows, the solid balcony. And from the exterior, it's a stunning piece of architecture."
According to the Heritage NZ website, the five-storey solid concrete building (with 15 apartments) was built for private developer William Stanton and Ernest Potter by James Fletcher in the early 1900s. One of a trio of Edwardian apartment buildings in Parliament St, Courtville is regarded as the most striking. From its site on the corner of Parliament St and Waterloo Quadrant, it looks across to the High Court and Old Government House.
James Fleming points out features he loves ... full-height studs, wooden floorboards, panelling and cabinetry, stately leadlight windows and the sunroom off the kitchen overlooking the communal garden area. The building's lift, with grilled metal door, is the oldest residential lift in the city.
James' second-level apartment has a hallway as you come in, the two spacious bedrooms, one with the balcony, the other with a bay window, and lounge running off the right of the hallway. The bathroom is on the left and, at the end of the hallway are the kitchen and adjoining sunroom.
Kitchen and bathroom have the original glazed tiles, and the bath has a shower head. James had planned to renovate here. "I was going to put in a suspended ceiling and take out the bath and make it a wet room. I would also put in a laundry as there is a shared laundry in the building but it's much nicer to have your own laundry facilities."
He is selling reluctantly; to free up cash for a new venture importing furniture from India.
"I love this apartment and am torn selling it, but this is the one that has to go; financially my hands are held."
He thinks the apartment will appeal to a young couple who appreciate its age. "For a lot of young people, a villa is the ultimate place to live. With this apartment, a young couple would get the feel of a villa without the $1.5 million price tag. Or it might appeal to empty nesters who are looking for a smaller place but still like a bit of quality.
"If you rented it out you could get $800 to $900 a week once all the renovation work is finished."
There is no off-street parking at Courtville but residents can apply for resident-permit parking on Parliament St.
