KEY POINTS:
Take the lift to apartment 1407 at the base of Hobson St and you'll feel as if you're on top of the world as you savour the 270-degree views.
Owner John Chung likens living on the 14th and 15th floors on the corner of Hobson and Customs Sts to being in a clifftop house. "It's like a big house because of its large area and the corridors." Plus the apartment's distinctive shape gives him "a refreshing feeling of life on the precipice of the clifftops".
As you enter this apartment, floor-to-ceiling windows on the northern side look out over the Viaduct Harbour, to the harbour bridge, ferry terminals, Herne Bay, Bayswater and Stanley Pt. To the east are cityscapes, looking down on rooftop apartments and up to the Sky Tower.
Chung lived in the Viaduct before moving here four years ago. He says this freehold apartment runs rings around the leasehold Viaduct apartment he had as there is less noise and the view will never be built out. "Plus the apartment is freehold so there is no uncertainty regarding ground rent.
"I bought it because it's in the best location, has the best views, is private and secure and it's very convenient to live here."
He says the streets and harbour scenes below are always interesting, with details changing with the different times of the day and the tides.
"Views are guaranteed as all buildings between you and the waterfront have been built to the maximum height allowed, being five storeys. You are overlooking these rooftops to the vista below."
And he adds, "When people tire of merely watching the view below in the Viaduct, it's only a few minutes' walk to take in the action."
On the penthouse's first level are a bedroom, bathroom, family living area including kitchen, and the main living area. This large living area enjoys those spectacular harbour views, while the family room and bedroom have the urban outlook. Both sides of the apartment have balconies, accessed by ranchsliders, and Chung reckons the easterly deck is perfect for a barbecue - with altitude and attitude. At the apartment's triangular corner apex, he has positioned a rowing machine so he can exercise while watching Auckland on parade below. A circular window in this room adds a point of interest.
The kitchen is in the corner of the family living area, with marble benchtop and ample storage, slide-out pantry, double-drawer dishwasher and fridge/freezer discreetly housed behind cupboard doors.
Up the stairs are two large bedrooms ... the master with the harbour view, the second overlooking Hobson St.
Each bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe and sumptuous en suite.
Chung is the first owner of this penthouse and has kept it in pristine condition.
"It will be like moving into a brand new apartment for the next owner."
That's if the newcomers can divert their eyes from the views long enough to take in the immaculate decor, wooden floors and carpets in all bedrooms.
Chung says the apartment originally had four bedrooms and could easily be reconfigured back to that. He was planning to move the kitchen from the family room into the main living area.
He says normally penthouses sell for around $9000sq m, which would make this apartment worth more than $2.1 million. However he is keen to free up cash for his business developing lifestyle subdivisions, and will look at interest above $1.6 million.
Penthouse 1407,
1 Hobson St,
Auckland City
