Ponsonby: Sharp approach

Apex 22-24 Prosford St, Ponsonby.

A tightly angled corner site gives rise to a unique apartment complex.

Sometimes you wonder how marketing gurus come up with the names of new apartment buildings but in the case of Apex, a just-completed 11-apartment complex in Ponsonby, the reason behind the moniker doesn't take much guessing.

Tucked into a quiet, but very central, part of Ponsonby, the Apex site is on a wedge of land between Prosford and Blake Streets. At only 47 degrees, the section presented some challenges, says developer Greer Stephens. He says rather euphemistically that the land's previous dwelling was a character villa that had seen better days.

Rather than shy away from the site's restrictions, the just-completed building embraces them. It's the solutions to the site's foibles that give the building its literal point of difference.

From the outside, the base of the building appears anchored by horizontal cedar batten cladding, while the body of the structure cantilevers out and appears to float above. The three levels of apartments, with floor-to-ceiling glazing, culminate at the apex of the building. At street level a light-filled cafe and deli called The Blake Street Cafe will open in a few weeks.

Greer says he's particularly interested in design, and you can see where his interest has shone through on the exterior of the building with materials such as painted steel beams, basalt tiles and honed concrete block. He also opted for features that aren't run-of-the-mill. The exterior is layered with drops of steel mesh, which make an architectural statement but also screen the bedrooms.

"The rep showed me some architectural samples, but he was also on his way to meet a fruit company and I liked the sample he had that is normally used for conveyor belts," Greer says.

Inside, the building is just as interesting. Stand in the glazed room that makes up the apex of one of the penthouses for sale and you get magnificent views out towards the Waitakeres. All apartments are sunny, warm and have good-sized balconies, with high-quality fittings, such as top-notch Kahrs Scandinavian timber flooring and Aiko Arclinea kitchens from Matisse, all with 900mm gas hob Smeg ovens.

Greer worked closely with Greg Jones of Jones Architects to create apartments with a generous 3.2m stud and large rooms. The doors are also taller than normal. Privacy is assured by having no two bedrooms next to each other, and solid concrete walls between each apartment, meaning you won't hear your neighbour's phone conversations.

There are four apartments on the market - all two-bedrooms, and three have studies which could double as bedrooms. Two are on the penthouse level, with great views and ducted air conditioning. All four have gas fireplaces and come with built-in plasma televisions. The apartments are sold with two or three secure car parks each, as well as ground-level storage lockers.

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 2+

BATHROOMS: 1

GARAGE: 2

SIZE: Land 840sq m, house 170sq m.

PRICE: Offers around $2 million.

INSPECT: By appointment.

CONTACT: Lloyd Steinbring, Bayleys Waiheke, ph 09 372 0005 bus, 021 245 8553 mob, 09 372 0559 a/h.

FEATURES: Absolute water's edge, the property is being sold fully furnished, complete with four-wheel drive and dinghy. Deep water mooring with GPS satellite position (registration in process).