BUSTLE OF CITY BECKONS

A one-off waterfront townhouse is a spacious nest for city buzz lovers who enjoy privacy

The new 122sq m two-bedroom Halsey St apartment, meticulously fashioned by Athfield Architects, is one of the firm’s leading-edge designs

Project architect Jaime Lawrence says she’s incredibly proud of its attention to detail. The Auckland architect says the two-bedroom townhouse is literally a hidden gem of Wynyard Quarter.

“It very carefully nested in the heart of that development. You walk up the stairs, it’s tucked in the corner, your front door has this little porthole, you go through and under and walk straight into the apartment,” she says.

“Even though it’s in the centre, it was about considering privacy as well as the view around those buildings.”

The stand-alone townhouse has no other apartments above it, which allowed architects to add “unique character” to the faade of the lane edge, Lawrence says.

“It is hidden and nestled in that community of buildings, but the way it is orientated and planned it has its own outlook.”

She designed the two-bedroom apartment to maximise light and views of the waterfront by “creating as wide openings as possible and not creating too many walls between the spaces to encourage natural light and elevate the views.”

Featuring elegant sloping ceilings and boasting an entertainer's kitchen with Miele appliances, this unique residence is split across two levels.

The downstairs entry level has a generous bedroom, a bathroom, and a study alcove and second balcony.

Upstairs has the living room, a north-facing balcony, and master bedroom with a spacious wardrobe and en-suite.

Overall, light colours were used throughout with whitewashed stained oak kitchen and light grey wool carpet bringing more light into the house.

The townhouse is close to the buzz of cafes, restaurants and events and next year’s America’s Cup. “If you like being in the city and a part of something you’d pick this rather than being up in the skyscraper,” Lawrence says.

Barfoot & Thompson agent Carl Madsen says the townhouse is a special and boutique property unlikely to be duplicated, adding that Wynyard Quarter has an urban lifestyle which is not offered anywhere else in Auckland.

“A lot of New Zealanders are looking for a lifestyle change and are really taking it on,” he says.

The Halsey townhouse apartment comes with secure carpark and storage and shared access to a 16-seat theatre, gymnasium and business centre.