Although it is part of the Hopetoun Delta complex on the corner of Pitt and Hopetoun streets, the two-storey home has its own staircase entry near the main pedestrian gate.
"We're the only residents who use these steps," says Seamus. "But we put a security gate on them because the first night we moved in a pizza delivery guy turned up at the top of the stairs, so we thought if this is going to happen all the time then we are putting in a gate."
The now-secure stairs take visitors to a timber deck open to the north and wrapped by the kitchen and lounge.
Sue and Seamus have added a built-in barbecue to the deck and a 10-seat table slotted underneath that can be rolled out. It was designed to mimic the look of the island bench/breakfast bar in the kitchen.
PatinaForm concrete panels with negative detailing make up the western wall of the house running through from deck to kitchen, and feature in the rest of the house as part of its clean, industrial look with concrete floors and tough aluminium joinery.
A narrow, enclosed balcony has louvres for privacy. Running along the eastern, Pitt St-facing side of the building, it is ideal for people-watching. It tucks around the corner where the couple have a table so they can sit and catch the evening sun.
Image 1 of 6: Looking for quality in the heart of the city -- yet with enough space to cater for dozens of guests on Christmas Day? It's all here. Photos / Ted Baghurst
Sue says: "It's so private up here even though it's a really busy road."
Behind the living room is an office/media room that could serve as a third bedroom. It has a clever glass shelving system slotted into tracks between the concrete panels.
With the easy indoor outdoor flow created by the kitchen and living room opening to the deck, Seamus says they catered for 34 people one Christmas with two tables inside and one on the deck.
A feature wall in Porter's Paints' 'Nefertiti' draws attention to the suspended open-tread staircase with a steel handrail seemingly hanging in mid-air.
"The floating stairs were a stunner for me," says Seamus.
The teal-coloured wall has a fresco formulation and a waxy, easy-clean finish.
"That's because when the grandkids are using the staircase we always tell them to touch the wall," says Sue.
Upstairs are two bedrooms with the master adjoining a large bathroom with bath and walk-in shower. The shower has three shower heads to cater for his-and-her requirements, and a towel rail in a cupboard means the couple can also dry out wet shoes and coats.
"This place is full of simple ideas but they work really well," says Seamus.
Seamus says they've enjoyed the walkability offered by their central location, whether it's heading downtown or up to Ponsonby Rd. And nearby Myers Park and Western Park have been great for entertaining their grandchildren.
Next on the agenda for the couple is a move to Marlborough, where they plan to build a simple, single-level coastal home.
As Sue says: "Some of our friends have already moved to Marlborough. so we've been going down there for a few years. We thought if we were going to give it a go, it would be now or never."
