BROADWAY BLISS
No regrets over swapping lifestyle block for apartment, writes Donna Fleming
Malcolm Shale’s interest was piqued in the 1990s when he heard a developer had bought 9ha of railway land adjacent to the Newmarket train station to build Broadway Park, an enclave of upmarket apartments and townhouses.
At the time Malcolm and wife Sheryl lived on a lifestyle block in Drury, but their jewellery manufacturing business was based in Remuera, so they knew the area well. “I kept an eye on what was going on,” says Malcolm. “I thought I wouldn’t mind living there one day.”
By 2000 he and Sheryl were starting to think it was time for a change. Their rural home had been a great place to bring up their sons, but once the boys moved out to do their own thing, the block became a burden.
A circular about the D’Urville apartment block, being built in James Cook Crescent, caught Malcolm’s eye and he paid a visit to the sales office. Pleased by the high standard of the buildings that were going up in Broadway Park, he and Sheryl became the second or third people to buy one of the apartments off the plans.
It was a long wait though before they were able to move into their third floor corner apartment. “It took three years – and it was hard to be patient,” recalls Malcolm.
Because the building site was only a few hundred metres from his business, he’d often call by before heading home to check how work was progressing. “The builders got to know me well,” he says.
As the Shales bought off the plans so early in the project, they were able to make a few changes to the apartment. “We thought there was some wasted space in the floor plan, so we asked the project manager if the kitchen could be moved,” says Malcolm. “He convinced the architect to do it.”
They were able to make other tweaks, such as putting a cupboard in the en suite bathroom and exchanging carpet for tiles in the entrance way.
When they finally got to move in, they were delighted with their new home. “It was a bit of a shock at first, going from a 10 acre block to an apartment,” says Malcolm. “But it is such a good place to live and it didn’t take long to get used to it.”
The apartment is located at one end of the building, so only has a neighbour on one side. Generous use of large windows on three sides means the apartment is flooded with light, particularly in the open plan dining and living room.
There’s a great view from the living room, balcony and master bedroom that extends from Mt Hobson across the Remuera valley and around to the harbour, including Rangitoto.
Agent Paul Sissons says apartments in Broadway Park don’t come up for sale very often. “It has a wonderful reputation as a great place to live, and the community feel coupled with the strong investment proposition means the apartment rarely come to the market, and are keenly sought after.”