Personal touch to finishes
Buying off the plans meant this owner could make the apartment fit his own needs, writes Sandra Goodwin
Emergency department doctor Brian d’Angona didn’t hold back on customising one of The Turing Building’s garden terrace apartments, when he bought off the plans. Brian says: “It meant I was able to make all sorts of upgrades — I probably drove the developers mad.”
American- born Brian came to Auckland five years ago to work. When he wanted to buy a home he researched developers Ockham Residential, having been impressed by their Grey Lynn apartments at The Isaac.
Brian says: “I thought, ‘ This is a developer who knows what they’re doing, has good taste and doesn’t take a cookie- cutter approach’.”
Ockham told him about The Turing Building, the 27- apartment reinforced concrete and steel building it was creating on the Grey Lynn ridge.
He says: “I knew I wanted somewhere with good outdoor space or a good view.”
Brian, who loves gardens and the outdoors, bought this 86sq m two- bedroom apartment extended by a private 36sq m garden terrace in 2014. He arranged extensive upgrades before moving in to his sunny north- facing home with 2.7- metre stud and superior acoustic insulation.
Instead of carpet he had B& O Casa supply French oak flooring with an espresso antique finish achieved by charring, brushing the oak back for character and texture, then oiling.
Brian’s sister is a film director and his love of music, film and TV saw him install a Sonos built- in sound system with 65- inch curved TV to minimise glare. He also had ultra- fast broadband installed. He says: “Being Irish- Italian, I love to cook”. His customised kitchen teams high- gloss white cabinetry with black granite benches and splashback. It boasts a large induction cook top, double oven plus convection oven and a double door fridge supplemented by a wine fridge.
Brian says: “My buddy in Palm Springs has under- counter lighting which can change to different colours so I got that, too. It is great for parties.”
A vintage Sputnik light hangs in the open- plan kitchen- living space with heat pump. Doors open wide to the private balcony with lush raised garden bed that Brian shaped after advice from landscaper friend Adam Shuter, of Shuter Design.
Brian says: “I feel like this apartment and the balcony is a real retreat.”
He loves being able to entertain on a larger scale in the residents’ top- floor function room with kitchen. This opens to a roof- top deck with panoramic views to the harbour and is complemented by a pool table and gym area.
The two bedrooms ( one of which Brian uses as an office) flank the living space, giving nice separation when guests stay. Both feature the building’s distinctive geometric windows.
“There’s a certain sense of whimsy to this building which I love.”
Brian’s bedroom with heat pump adjoins a customised walk- through wardrobe neatly concealing clothes. The upgraded en suite features Italian marble from Artedomis and a double- width double- head shower.
The second marble- clad bathroom includes the luxury of a bath. A separate laundry comes outfitted with a washer and drier.
The car lift stacker system controlling his two car spaces is convenient as each car is able to move independently of the other with the turn of a key.
Brian wants to own a big dog again so has bought a Herne Bay property with roomy grounds.
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