Central and with sea views
A family decision to buy for their student daughter ticked all the boxes, writes Donna McIntyre
Wanting somewhere their daughter Joanne would feel safe, as well as close to her university, Joon and Jong Kim were pleased to find this studio unit in The Statesman Apartments on the corner of Parliament St and Anzac Ave.
They liked that it was secure – the building has an in- house security system which includes CCTV and other features such as access only to the floor you live on, and two sets of one- way fire escape stairwells.
And it was an easy walk for Joanne to get to the University of Auckland, where she was studying pharmacy.
“We viewed a few apartments when we were trying to buy one,” says Joanne. “We liked the location. It was private, in a secure part of town and it was quiet. And it was close to the university and the supermarket. It was easy for me as I didn’t have a car.
“It was a new building and there were no issues with water leakage. And it was low- maintenance,” she says of The Statesman, which was completed in March 2004.
Her family bought the apartment in 2008 and Joanne lived here throughout her studies.
When she felt like a break from studying, Joanne could walk to Britomart if she wanted to catch a bus or train, and Parliament St was also handy to the city’s cafes and restaurants when she was meeting friends.
Her 14th level unit is one of only two studios on the western side of the building with views over the city, port, and across the harbour to Devonport and Rangitoto.
“I could watch the cruise ships come in, and when they have fireworks over the harbour, I could see them,” says Joanne.
Her balcony was large enough for a table and chairs, and she would sit out here with a coffee enjoying the views.
She also appreciated having the leisure facilities that residents of The Statesman can use.
“I could use the spa and outdoors pool and the gym. The spa and swimming pool are popular in summer. The gym is small but it is well- maintained and clean.”
These facilities have bathrooms and showers, and the area around the pool has hardwood decking, seating, planter boxes with shrubs and grasses, and discreet lighting.
Joanne says the other residents at The Statesman were a mix of owner- occupiers and renters, and mainly students renting or professionals.
“I didn’t know my neighbours but you do get to know the manager. He was onsite all the time and, if you needed him outside the working hours, you could always text him or ring him.”
The layout of Joanne’s studio has the bathroom on the left and then the kitchen and living area. The bedroom is to the corner, on the right.
“It felt like you had a separate room. We liked that it had two separate parts, that is why we bought it.” Joanne lived here for about five years. “And then we rented it out to a family friend because I went back to Christchurch to live with my parents. I wasn’t sure if I was coming back up, so they didn’t sell it.
“But now I am married. That is why we are selling it. It is no use to me any more.”
She says knowing it would one day be sold, it was important the studio was freehold. “We were not planning to hold on to it for a long time, it was just for me while I lived in Auckland.”