AUCTION:
12.30pm, Thursday 3 March (unless sold prior).
CONTACT:
Daniel Horrobin, 021 595 976.
Richard Lewis is one of many folk who experience living in Beaumont Apartments and get hooked on their location and size.
This second-level apartment looks onto Franklin Rd and the people he bought it from went on to buy a larger residence in the building.
"I was back in the UK for Christmas three years ago reading the Herald online when I spotted an editorial about this apartment being for sale. I'd been renting in Beaumont Apartments since I moved up from Christchurch about seven years ago so knew how good they were.
"I bought this place as a way of getting onto the property ladder but have continued renting another apartment there with flatmates," he says.
"I first started renting there because I love the location. It's walking distance to the city, where I work.
"You've got great restaurants, such as Clooney and Matterhorn, really close and all Ponsonby's bars and restaurants nearby. And you're close to everything happening at Wynyard Quarter. Plus you've got a big piece of grass just over the road, whereas so many apartments in town are looking onto walls or other people."
Richard often exercises in neighbouring Victoria Park in the morning, and says the building manager does an excellent job of maintaining the shared facilities, which include a gym.
"With the muggy weather we've had it's nice to come home from work and jump in the pool. And the spa pool's great in winter," he says.
"The size of this apartment is also a real stand-out: 90sq m plus the balcony. One-bedroom apartments being built these days tend to be less than 70sq m. It means you've got space to fit your stuff in and relax without feeling the walls are closing in on you."
Image 1 of 5: Come home at the end of a hard day's work and cool down in the swimming pool.
This 39-apartment complex designed by Leuschke Group was built in 1997 and will soon be refreshed as its coming up to its long-term maintenance painting.
Apartment 2B has parquet flooring in the foyer and open-plan kitchen, which has stainless-steel benches. To the left of the carpeted living-dining area is a good-sized bathroom, which comfortably fits a bath, separate shower and laundry facilities.
Richard has upgraded the kitchen's dishwasher, and oven, and the washing machine and dryer -- which are included as chattels.
The roomy bedroom with double wardrobe and the living area open to a balcony that faces Franklin Rd and is a morning sun-trap.
There are storage cupboards off the living space and a storage locker accompanies this apartment's basement car park.
Richard believes the $550 a week rent he's asked of late may be slightly below market rates. He's had good tenants, including a professional sportsperson. In the three years until he had tenants vacate while he marketed the apartment, he had only one night not earning rent between tenants.
He joined the body corporate committee last year and knows they allow a quota of pets up to a certain size. He likes the mix of residents, describing them as predominantly slightly older people coming up to retirement and 30-to-40-something professionals.
Richard is selling this apartment as he's been able to buy a three-bedroom version in the complex.
