APARTMENT LIVING
Fleetwood Mac fan found the right vibe, writes Donna McIntyre
The balcony was the deal-clincher. Stretching across the lounge and master bedroom with access through ranch sliders, it offers a good 15sq m of space for outdoor furniture, entertaining or barbecues. “Having such a big deck is so lovely in the summer,” says owner Di Hughson.
She had been living in west Auckland when she spotted this north-facing two-bedroom unit in the city-fringe Fleetwood apartments. The name didn’t hurt, adding to the good vibes she felt the building had, as she is a huge fan of the British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac.
Di bought this unit about 10 years ago. She felt this one combined being a decent size as well as being close to the city centre. “I could walk into the city and have brunch at St Kevin’s Arcade in K Rd; and at that time my children were living in Mt Eden which was so close by to catch up.
“And the size means both bedrooms can easily fit queen-sized beds and furniture.”
The 40 apartments in this freehold cluster in Fleet St are housed in five blocks of four levels stepping down the hill. Di says it makes them feel more private; each block has a separate entrance.
From her deck on the second level she looks out over trees and up to the top of Ponsonby. Popular Basque Park is nearby.
The apartments were built in 1994 of tilt slab construction. “You have concrete flooring and concrete between each apartment. It’s a good solid way of construction,” says Di.
“The apartment is easy to clean. I did put up blinds and curtains, but you only really need them on one side. In summer it’s nice to leave them open because you can see the lights.”
The layout has the entry into a hallway with the kitchen and dining off to the left. There is a juliet balcony by the dining table, on the street side, allowing good air flow.
Turning right from the entrance the separate lounge opens to the balcony, as does the main bedroom. Between this and the second bedroom are the bathroom (with laundry cupboard) and toilet.
Di wants to buy a home in the Bay of Plenty where she now lives. She thinks it would suit a young couple or somebody more mature as the building’s security is great, including the parking.