CONTACT:
Gabrielle Hoffmann, City Sales, 021 0216 6611.
OUTGOINGS:
Annual body corp and ground rent levies: $17,065. Lighter Quay Residents’ Society levy; $3428 a year.
Aucklanders may gaze wistfully across the Tasman in winter, envying the higher temperatures. But come mid-summer, Australians in the more northern states often envy the more temperate climate we get.
It is for that reason that Tony Physick bought this two-bedroom apartment in the Viaduct's tightly held Lighter Quay North. Otaki-born Tony has lived in Australia for 30-odd years.
"I live up in Cairns and we live a fair way out of town on an acreage so it is quite a contrast to go and live there."
He bought this apartment with the intention of coming back here to holiday. "It is hot in the summer in Cairns so I was planning to use the apartment for three months to come over [during] the very hot period and in the wet season. But I haven't had the time to do that."
He says the big appeal of this spacious, light apartment is its position.
"We are so close to the water and right in the centre of town," he says. "The first time we got it, we stayed there for a little bit and you could go out at night and walk around the restaurants."
3B/85 Halsey St. Pictures / Supplied
The north-facing apartment is on the North's third floor and looks straight out to the marina.
Its prime waterfront position means sunlight streams in first thing in the morning through to the afternoon.
The layout has the lounge and kitchen in the centre of the apartment, opening to the deck through glass slider doors. There is a bedroom on either side of the lounge and the two bathrooms.
The building has guest parking, an indoor heated lap pool facing the water, a gym, spa and sauna for residents to use. The sale includes one undercover car park.
He says though being leasehold means there is a ground rent to pay, it also makes it more affordable to buy these Viaduct apartments.
3B/85 Halsey St. Pictures / Supplied
He is selling because he has a charter boat business in Cairns and wants to free up capital to buy another boat.
He reckons the quality of the North build is probably one of the best in the Viaduct.
"Lighter Quay's North has the reputation. And the position is the other thing about it. It is well maintained. The guys in the body corp are on site and, although there is a cost, they are always washing the building, cleaning the building and it is well maintained."
His apartment has been rented out.
"It has been easy to rent out. It is very suitable for professional people. It gets very strong rents because of its position."
3B/85 Halsey St. Pictures / Supplied
Who does he think will buy the apartment?
"I think it will appeal to someone from overseas who wants to fly in and out ... or someone who wants to have it as a second home right in the middle of the Viaduct. They all seem to want to be able to throw the milk out and lock the door and go. Shut the door."
