Watch the world go by

4B/99 Customs Street West. Photo / Supplied

4B/99 CUSTOMS ST WEST, AUCKLAND CENTRAL

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SIZE: 152sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: $969,000.

INSPECT: Sat, 3pm-3.30pm.

BODY CORP: $20,428.55 annually.

GROUND RENT: $13,257.28 annually.

ON THE WEB: https://www.bayleys.co.nz/Listing/Auckland/Auckland/Auckland-Central/1652220

INSPECT: By appointment only.

CONTACT: Carl Russell, 021 896 783, or Hamish Duke 021 730 462, Bayleys.

With extensive views over the Viaduct, a balcony for entertaining and a large comfortable lounge to relax in, it's no wonder that when Alan McCarrison's friends call into his corner penthouse apartment at The Quays for pre-dinner drinks, they often end up deciding to stay in rather than go out.

Those water views stretch to the harbour bridge and include the movement of pedestrians and yachts. There's the greenery, too, of trees and the nearby park area.

On the other side of the Viaduct are the ASB Waterfront Theatre and the Viaduct Events Centre.

Alan has watched events such as the dragon boat races and harbour swim that finishes just in front of The Quays.

"Everything is within walking distance: cafes, supermarkets and entertainment. Les Mills is 800 metres away; you have the Tepid Baths just up the road.

Or you can go to Waiheke, you pack your bag and walk three minutes down to the wharf," says Alan.

He bought the apartment, built in the early 2000s, about 11 years ago. The Viaduct area was going ahead, the views were sensational and its central location meant it sat on the edge of the city's entertainment area.

Originally he didn't intend to stay that long. But when there were leaky building issues at The Quays, Alan decided to weather the storm and stay until the building's reparation was completed.

He has been part of the body corporate, "a wonderful gathering of apartment owners with mixed interests but a common purpose".

"Everything has settled down now. There are some good people on the committee, a mix of business and residential...people who bought off the plans, an owner operator, a recent out-of-town investor and myself as an owner who lives here."

After The Quays was repaired, Alan focused his energy on his corner penthouse, installing a new kitchen and a skylight in the lowered ceiling in this part of the apartment.

He straightened out a wall in the lounge where there had been an alcove.

The glass he changed from hush to double glazing. And he changed lounge bi-fold doors to stacking sliders.

In the master bedroom he made the walk-in wardrobe one continuous unit where there had been two compartments. New carpet is nylon.

His apartment has a large entry foyer. To the left are the spare bedroom, bathroom and laundry. Straight ahead is the kitchen and lounge with the glass sliders to the balcony, and large windows in the lounge.

Apart from the body corp meetings, he doesn't see much of other occupants. "And it's a quiet building; you don't hear the noise of others. We are a fairly happy bunch up here, no complaints."

He says being leasehold means that obviously there is a land lease to be paid but "you don't pay the high premium for the building".

Alan now feels the time is right to move on.