CONTACT:
Sarah Garlick, Barfoot & Thompson, 021 146 1565
AUCTION:
June 3.
A city bolthole, not too small, close to work, this eighth-floor, north-facing Fiore on Hobson apartment is all this and more.
Vivien McGilvray and husband Don bought it after returning from overseas. Before travelling, Don was an Air Force aircraft engineer. Vivien is a computer programmer. Settling back into NewZealand life, they lived first on Waiheke before moving to Warkworth where Don worked at a rest home, which included live-in accommodation.
But the couple wanted a place in Auckland, too, more for Vivien, who would stay overnight twice a week in the one-bedroom apartment. It was especially handy during intense deadlines at her city workplace where she would work late into the nightbut could get a decent amount of sleep at the apartment before returning to work the next morning.
She would catch up with friends to see a few shows -- she is a benefactor of the opera -- and for meals out.
Image 1 of 5: Clever bed hidden in the wall makes sure you are always ready for unexpected guests at your city pad
An open invitation was extended to family and friends to use the apartment when it was free at weekends. "I liked this apartment because it was only eight minutes' walk from work," says Vivien. "And we had to have a car park. I also didn't want a shoebox where I would feel claustrophobic.
She has views of the SkyTower and harbour from her deck.
"It is roomy and I'm really pleased with the building. I don't even hear my neighbours, which was a surprise as I lived in apartment blocks overseas where there was more noise. This is a really well-insulated building. I didn't expect it to be so quiet on Hobson St, but this apartment is set back from the road."
One sound she does make a point of hearing is the Tuesday-night bell practice at nearby St Matthew-in-the-City church. "That is cool, I sit on the deck and enjoy that."
Her apartment has direct entry into the galley-style kitchen. A bathroom is on the right and there's a laundry cupboard, too. Then you move through to the open-plan living and dining, which opens to the balcony through sliding glass doors. Vivien has a Tiltaway bed on the living room wall, easily pulled down when needed for a friend to stay. A pullout screen by this bed adds privacy. "We made it so it feels like a mini bedroom." The couple have painted and re-carpeted the apartment, and added shelving.
Just off the kitchen (with Fisher & Paykel appliances) is the bedroom, which also has access to the bathroom.
Vivien has been on the body corp -- "the best way to find out what happens in an apartment building" -- and she thinks the building's manager is fantastic, going the extra distance for the growing number of owner-occupiers in the Fiore. "The owners range across age groups and ethnicities and it is now about 45 per cent owner-occupier. And we keep our body corp fees low here. The building doesn't have any issues, it has a really good record."
The couple are selling as Don is going back to work for the Air Force at Whenuapai as a civilian so they are looking for a larger place in Auckland.
