KEY POINTS:
APARTMENT 9,
SHED 23,
PRINCES WHARF,
AUCKLAND CITY.
Anne and Dieter Schlikting have made this apartment feel like a luxury cabin on an ocean liner, so arriving home is like beginning a holiday.
They moved in a few years ago after selling a big house in Kohimarama, and wanted a space that would let them be creative. It's just that - with Anne's grand piano and Dieter's cello almost swimming in the lovely open space that is the apartment's living room.
Dieter often opens the doors that lead on to the balcony when he is practising or writing. His children's book, The Adventures of Lunar Bear, is about to be published and he wrote it in the living room.
The balcony is impressive - it's wide and private with a view that looks straight up the harbour to the Tank Farm and then on to the harbour bridge.
Depending on how creative the Auckland City Council is in its redevelopment of the Tank Farm, Dieter says this outlook could become even more beautiful.
The balcony gets the sun about noon and the glow of evening light is outstanding. The westerly aspect means the apartment is warm in winter.
There's room on the balcony for a kitchen garden and a barbecue.
The Schliktings painted the apartment - which has an airy 3m stud - a warm yellow, adding to its sense of warmth.
The kitchen, which is well-planned with lots of storage, is capable of turning out plenty of food for a party and the flexible space means there's room for entertaining.
The bathroom is functional but also luxurious, like an expensive hotel, and the laundry is tucked in there too.
The bedroom is behind a big sliding door that can be left open so the view can be enjoyed. There's plenty of wardrobe space and the room is light.
Shed 23 is on the way to the Hilton Hotel, and is close to the sophisticated enchantments of the Viaduct and those trendy hang-outs like Soul, Mecca and Portofino, not to mention a plethora of less expensive noodle bar-type eateries.
Dieter says despite the proximity to the bars, the apartment is quiet. "The noise seems to stay further down the wharf and we never hear a thing."
At the same time, they feel they are connected to the city even if they don't choose to leave home. The couple are moving off-shore but Dieter says they are sad to be leaving their apartment on the sea.
