CONTACT:
Gabrielle Hoffmann, City Sales, ph (09) 3030 601 or 021 0216 6611.
AUCTION:
February 4.
The way the living space basks in sunlight streaming through the oversized window of this apartment was the outstanding attraction for writer Vivienne Plumb when she saw it in the historic Dunningham Building in 2012.
The en suite of this one bedroomed unit has a bath in it too, which is not always easy to find in a central Auckland city apartment, says Vivienne.
Being north-east facing, the fourth floor apartment is filled with natural light which, of course, is pleasant in summer but even more delightful in winter.
"Being a small apartment, the amount of sunlight keeps it warm. My heating bills in winter are low," she says
The harbour views, including the bridge, are mesmerising through the line-up of windows in the solid brick walls.
"I am only one block from the waterfront, and this is so close to the Tepid Baths. I love going there. They are fantastic, like a treasure since they have been renovated. It's close to everything I need: Britomart, the Viaduct, the university, Queen St and the central library."
Vivienne particularly appreciates the outdoor space of St Patrick's Square -- another reason she moved from Grey Lynn to the CBD.
The appeal of the square includes its grassed area, the fountain when it is lit up at night, the Cathedral and a nearby restaurant's al fresco dining. On Wolfe St, there's the cute Mo's Bar and Federal & Wolfe Cafe, perfect for when Vivienne feels like a break from working at home or is meeting friends.
Image 1 of 3: Contemporary apartment boasts a solid heritage -- a former kauri gum warehouse
Back at her apartment, the stand-alone kauri kitchen island is where Vivienne works. A poet, fiction writer and playwright, she finds the space ideal for creative writing. (Her play The Wife Who Spoke Japanese In Her Sleep featured at the 2009 Auckland Festival.)
As well as the kitchen's island, there's ample cupboard storage beside and above the back kitchen bench, an Eisno oven and extractor fan.
The bedroom has grey textured wallpaper -- "It's a good-sized bedroom, not too small or poky, ideal for one person or a couple," she says -- and the tiled en suite is well-thought-out with bath and overhead shower, vanity with shelving and a laundry/hot water cylinder cupboard with Ariston Margherita 2000 combo washing machine and dryer.
Vivienne particularly enjoys living in a heritage building, built in 1924 and converted to apartments in 1994. There is a little slice of history here. It was a gum kauri warehouse and would once have been almost on the foreshore. "It is so much nicer to be in a heritage building where everything has been done for you. I had a past in DIY and I don't want to do that again."
She says the building is secure and has a great body corp. "There are really good people here and a lot of owner occupiers. It is great having only three apartments on each floor and the two penthouses."
She also enjoys the morning birdsong, thanks to trees nearby, and enjoys the antics of seagulls that gather close to the apartment. "They are hilarious to watch."
But Vivienne is moving to Wellington. She admits to being a nomad. She spent half of last year in Christchurch and before that, she lived in Sydney.
