Art Deco influence
Rooftop garden is a nice touch to classic apartment, writes Donna McIntyre
The architecture of this 1920s building in Poynton Tce was a big attraction when Brian Croon was looking to buy an apartment in central Auckland. Brian bought his freehold apartment on the historic Espano building’s top level in 2011.
“I absolutely loved the building, the architecture and its style. The position was fantastic, too, as it was always my intention to eventually live here. “
The architectural style is described as both Art Deco and Iberian American, as designed by architect Sinclair O’Connor and built in 1927 as a block of self-contained residences.
The Iberian American style became popular in New Zealand between 1910 and 1930.
“There are a lot of Spanish style buildings built in Santa Barbara in South California and in Miami, especially Miami Beach,” says Brian.
“It is a really well designed building. I believe it was built by Fletcher Construction, one of their earlier pieces.”
Structure shown on the original drawings of the building indicate it is almost in original condition.
Brian’s 75sq m (approx) apartment is on the top of four levels of the reinforced concrete structure.
When you walk in from street level, there is one level of apartments down from Poynton St which look out to a terracotta tiled courtyard. There are three apartments on each level and all but one of the 12 apartments have two bedrooms.
Brian’s apartment’s two bedrooms and living room face the north side.
“Those rooms get good light during the day.” Kitchen and bathroom are on the south side. Detailing delights include the picture rails, original skirtings, architraves and fireplace (no longer in use). Wood in the apartment interior, including doors, is Oregon pine.
And Brian says he was delighted to peel back a corner of the bathroom’s lino to find the original terrazzo tile flooring.
The apartment has access to the rooftop where a scattering of plants grow in planter boxes. There’s also what was a washroom, a shed, a flat barbecue area and clotheslines.
“There is roof access from all apartments,” says Brian, who understands that all of the apartments except his are owner-occupied.
“And I came very close to moving in myself.” An active steering committee oversees the body corp and schedules regular maintenance for the building.
“The roof needs repairing so that work is scheduled to begin in July. The front of the building has been painted and the rest will be repainted after the roof is done.”