KEY POINTS:
Apartment 223,
Viaduct Point,
125 Customs St West
Auckland City.
Duty calls - literally - for Alistair and Tammy Brown when it comes to selling their two-bedroom, ground-floor apartment in the sought-after Viaduct Point complex.
Although they love the location, the arrival of baby Sophie and Tammy's return to work as Mt Eden's community constable means goodbye to their cafe lifestyle and hello to a Kingsland house with a garden and nearby childcare.
The couple bought this two-storey, newly completed apartment designed by Craig Craig Moller Architects in 2003, attracted by its location and facilities.
"We also loved the space inside the apartment and the [24 sq m] courtyard," says Alistair.
"It's surprisingly quiet here, especially as you are metres away from the cafes of the Viaduct. You just shut the hush-glass sliding doors, which cut out the noise, and you can't hear anything outside."
By pushing open those sliding doors, you create a great flow between the private, tiled courtyard and the open-plan living, dining and kitchen space of the ground floor. Fitted with Fisher & Paykel appliances, and stainless steel benches that combine smoothly with ample storage, the galley kitchen is large enough for entertaining.
Carpeted stairs lead up to the two double bedrooms and main bathroom, plus the apartment's main entrance. The front door leads off the second floor corridor, making it easy to access the basement carpark via the lift.
It's easy to see why the complex won New Zealand architecture awards in 2004 in a multiple housing category. It combines a modern industrial look of stainless-steel struts with softer features of wooden shutters over windows, expanses of glass and concrete.
Another of the complex's drawcards is its large communal courtyard.
"It's lovely in the afternoon here," says Alistair. "We come out here with Sophie and play."
The complex also has a full-time caretaker, Alf, to maintain the 70 apartments.
"We rented out the apartment when we first bought it to corporate clients, so it was great having Alf to take care of any problems, like changing light bulbs. We didn't have to do anything to the apartment for those three years."
The couple moved into the apartment a year ago, before Sophie was born, and loved the lifestyle the location offers.
"We went to cafes every weekend and, as I'm a runner, it's easy to go along the waterfront and along Tamaki Drive," says Alistair.
Plus, as Alistair works as an accountant in the CBD, he can walk to work. But with Tammy's maternity leave about to finish, the move to their Kingsland property makes sense - though Alistair is still forlorn about losing the Viaduct location and his easy commute to work.
SIZE: Apartment: 88 sq m, courtyard 24 sq m.
PRICE: $485,000. Body corporate fee $4300 pa approx, ground rent $4300 pa approx.
INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-1.30pm.
ON THE WEB: www.barfoot.co.nz
CONTACT: Howard Sidnam, Barfoot & Thompson, ph 021 973 389.
FEATURES: Two-level apartment with a private courtyard and use of a shared garden. Modern white kitchen, stainless bench top and the rare feature of gas cooking. Five steps to the nearest cafe.
