APARTMENT 1308,
STATESMAN BUILDING,
1 PARLIAMENT STREET,
AUCKLAND CITY.
KEY POINTS:
Megan Tomalin's two sleek Burmese cats can vouch for the sunshine that streams into their owner's 13th-floor inner-city apartment in Parliament Street.
In true feline style, Levi and Chelsea follow the sun as it moves around the balconies on both sides of the apartment, stretching out to enjoy morning rays in the living room and then curling up in the comfort provided by the warmth of afternoon sunlight on Megan's bed.
The cats are seasoned apartment dwellers. Megan says they quickly made themselves at home here, poking their heads through the balcony railings to watch goings-on below and keeping an eye on birds flying temptingly close to tease them.
Megan bought the apartment in January last year, attracted by the fabulous views over the old Railway Station and Vector arena, up to Parnell, across the container wharf and out to the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. "It was a lovely sunny day and I walked in and liked the view, the building and the location. It's a good, solid, non-leaky building and well-maintained."
The two-bedroom apartment occupies an envious corner site in the Statesman building, just across the road from the site of the first meeting of New Zealand's parliament in 1854.
Megan says apartments with this outlook can be hard to find.
"This apartment had been on the market only two weeks when I bought it. It has a huge advantage over others in that all three rooms go out to the balcony. With some apartments, you walk in and there is only one window at the end."
The entrance to the apartment is a hallway, lined with photos of Megan's travels overseas, with the two bedrooms off the left and bathroom on the right, then opening into the living area with kitchen.
Both bedrooms and the lounge access the wraparound balcony. Megan has a table and chairs out there to appreciate the views. Spectacular sunrises are another reward for early risers.
The entry, bathroom and kitchen are tiled and the bedrooms and living area carpeted.
Megan says the only change she has made to the apartment was to paint the hallway's walls which were a "statement" orange. They are now neutral, like the rest of the apartment's decor, apart from the feature duck-shell blue wall in the living room.
Megan loves the Statesman building's handiness to everything she needs in the city.
"My work, the Viaduct, and even Parnell are all within 10 minutes' walk. Going out is easy. I have a car park but I use the car at the most only once a week."
She reckons the apartment will suit a couple, single professionals or people working at the university as it is so close. A bonus is the building's spa pool, heated swimming pool and fully equipped gymnasium.
While there are about 15 apartments on each level, Megan rarely sees the other occupants. "It always amazes me, when we have a fire alarm, how many people come out of the building."
Megan obviously thinks the Statesman building is a premier place to live; she may be selling but she's not moving far, just two storeys up.
"You get used to apartment living quickly, it's so easy," Megan says. "There's no maintenance to worry about as everything is done for you. "