PENTHOUSE PURCHASE A LIFESTYLE CHOICE
504/22 Liardet St, New Plymouth Jamie Gemmell - 027 671 9532 First National Taranaki - Licensed Agent REAA 2008
Penthouse is one of those words that immediately brings others to mind... Think exclusive, secure, luxury, privacy, and top of the market.
Life in these apartments crowning the tops of buildings justifies use of all of these words. First National consultant Jamie Gemmell adds another to the list: lifestyle. ‘‘Apartment living is a lifestyle choice,’’ she says. ‘‘And Covid has changed things. It’s further emphasised the appeal of these residences, the ability to just lock and leave and enjoy life. There’s no worry about mowing lawns.’’
Many property buyers have family needs and want a section with the space and advantages it offers them, she says. But there are plenty of others who do not want the weekend chores that come with traditional homes: executive couples, retirees, buyers wanting a holiday home. ‘‘It’s easy living for people at a point where they want to do other things with their lives than look after a property.’’
Views and proximity to city conveniences are also usually part of a penthouse package, and Jamie’s promotion of Apartment 504 at 22 Liardet St emphasises those attractions.
It starts with the location. This apartment building at the corner of Liardet St and Gill St is in the centre of New Plymouth’s CBD, just steps away from cafes and restaurants, movies and night life. It’s so close that you could just pop out for a coffee, rather than make your own. And step the other way, towards the sea, and you are straight on to the worldrenowned Coastal Walkway. That’s convenience.
Security is the next attraction. Jamie is in the penthouse ready for our meeting and a call on the intercom prompts her to remotely release the lock on the glass doors to allow entry into the spacious foyer. From here, it’s a smooth lift ride up to the penthouse landing.
For apartment owners, access is just as likely to be via the basement garaging where they have their own dedicated car parking spaces and gear lockers.
Step through the apartment door and you find spectacular views over the urban patchwork of buildings and streets to the seafront as it reaches out towards the port. You can see the cone of Paritutu Rock, the pencil-like former powerstation chimney, and a tall port crane above trees framing the aquatic centre.
‘‘Afternoon sun pours in here and you get amazing sunsets,’’ Jamie says. Paritutu, the islands and the chimney form a dramatic black silhouette against an evening sky glowing with vivid reds and oranges.
This rear-corner penthouse at 22 Liardet
also has the bonus of a striking view back towards the mountain; Taranaki Maunga rises gracefully as a backdrop to the city on a fine day or evening.
The penthouse is on two levels and a generous 205sqm. Living areas are all on the first level as you enter from the lift landing. Kitchen, dining and lounge are open plan with walls of glass that make the views an integral part of life. Tall windows slide open to access balcony areas and alfresco views.
The kitchen is highly specified as you would expect in a high-quality apartment like this. It’s an island-bench design with the island cabinet face and sides in a rich woodgrain finish capped with pale engineered stone. A ceramic cooktop and stainless-steel underbench oven are features of the rear bench.
Woodgrain detail is seen again on the wall of panels to the side of the kitchen. These slide away to reveal the flexibility of an extra room that Jamie suggests could be an extension to the living area, a third bedroom, media room or office.
Off the apartment’s foyer are the guest bathroom with its quality wall tiling and glass shower, and an internal laundry space. Upstairs are the master bedroom and guest bedroom.
The extra elevation of the bedrooms enhances the views. You can even relax in bed in the master bedroom and look across the city to the mountain. Sliding doors open to the balcony, where glass balustrading maintains the full view.
The finely tiled master ensuite boasts a full-size bath, and a huge glassed-in shower area alongside, with a rainhead shower as well as a hand-held fitting. The wardrobe is an on-trend, walk-through space behind the partition bed wall.
Apartment residents also have use of the communal ground-floor gym space with its sophisticated exercise equipment. If it’s too wet on the walkway, they can still get their regular workout.