The owners of a branding agency recognised that this penthouse apartment's size and light-filled nature made it a great find, only five minutes' walk from their business.
Brigitte Richards and her husband Brian, who own Newmarket-based Richards Partners, bought the only two-level, four-bedroom apartment in the Mandalay Building in 2013.
Brigitte says: "We enjoy the vibrancy of Newmarket, its changing dynamics, culture and variety.
This gives private apartment owners (who have the option of putting their apartment into the rental pool, if desired) the convenience and security of the hotel set-up.
Brigitte says: "You're in the heart of Newmarket with everything within a very small radius — the Domain, where we often walk, the shops and cafes, the university's Khyber Pass campus, the library, the hospital and the train station.
"The Olympic pools and cinemas are just across the road, AGC is opening a school in the former Maori TV building soon, and the Westfield Newmarket redevelopment is due to open late next year."
Another thing Brigitte appreciates is the generous storage, some of it in multiple cupboards including an understair storage cupboard near the apartment's entry foyer.
This level also has two good sized bedrooms flanking a tiled bathroom with bath, plus a separate laundry.
Up the stairs, the upper level, which gets a view out to Rangitoto, has two generous bedrooms.
The master with heat pump has an en suite incorporating a bath, and the other bedroom has its own bathroom incorporating a glassless shower with big rain shower head.
The couple are consolidating their property holdings as they own other property including a Kaipara Harbour deer farm where they spend their weekends.
6E, 31 DAVIS CRESCENT, MANDALAY BUILDING, NEWMARKET • 4 bedrooms, 3 bathroom, 2 parking spaces. • Apartment 160sq m, plus 30sq m of deck. • Price: Similar properties sell around $1.9 million. • Auction: 10am Wed 26 Sept (unless sold prior). • Inspect: Sat/Sun 11-11.45am. • Body corp: $14,004 a year. • Schools: Newmarket School, Auckland Normal Intermediate, Auckland Grammar, Epsom Girls' Grammar. • Contact: Jill Jackson 021 745 424 and Emma John 021 862 242, Barfoot & Thompson, barfoot.co.nz/762078