"It suited them well as they spent most of their time in New Plymouth where my grandparents, uncle and aunt live," says Andrew.
His dad, who went to university to study classics after he retired, would stay in the apartment when he had lectures.
When Andrew's siblings all ended up living in Auckland, his parents moved to be closer to the grandchildren.
"They wanted to buy a larger property with a garden and offered the Connaught apartment to everyone in my family, for market value. My wife and I happened to be the only ones interested."
The couple bought the freehold apartment two years ago, with the intention of living here when they return from working overseas.
Image 1 of 3: Ideal for professional workers or retirees, this apartment offers versatile living. Photos / supplied
"We have been away four years now," says Andrew. "Initially Sydney, then Tokyo, New York and now London.
"It has been rented out, fully furnished, for $650 a week while we have been overseas. It definitely suits professional workers.
"When we advertised it as a rental we got a lot of professional working couples apply. My parents used it as an Auckland base in the early years of their retirement, so it suits retirees, also. The building has a mix."
Andrew and Mai like how the northwest-facing apartment's open-plan living space and balcony that runs the length of the apartment offer a view over the city to the Sky Tower, as well as capturing the afternoon sun.
The simple layout has the living, dining, kitchen as you enter. The bathroom and bedroom are on the left. Living space and bedroom access the balcony through sliding glass doors.
"It feels nice, cosy and familiar, but not cramped," says Andrew. "Having the doors to the balcony open makes it feel fresh and even more spacious."
The apartment has high-end quality furnishings including a Natuzzi couch, armchair, silk rug and coffee table, which the couple are open to selling either fully furnished or vacant. The only changes they have made are some painting, new carpet and wardrobe shelving.
There is one carpark and a lock up storage locker.
Andrew speaks highly of the body corp and on site building manager.
"He really goes above and beyond ... It is a low-maintenance apartment and the building is looked after to a high standard by the body corp."
The couple know this part of town well, having met across the road from the Connaught, when they were at Auckland University.
"It wasn't our intention to sell," says Andrew. "We decided to move from New York to London, our tenants gave notice and we aren't exactly sure when we will be back to New Zealand to live.
"Realistically it will probably be several years down the line and, like our tenants who just moved out to a house to have a baby, we will need more than one bedroom for a family."
