Options for this city base

Location appeals to students, workers and investors, writes Donna McIntyre

Being close to the university, this twobedroom apartment in central Eden Cres seemed ideal future accommodation for Matt Jones’ two daughters who were intending to study at university. And, Matt thought, in the short term, before the girls reached their university years, he could use it as his city base. “That was the plan,” he says. Matt felt the apartment offered a good living space and was good value compared to the price of other properties nearby.

“I looked around at other apartments in the area. Some were in excess of $ 1 million for smaller sized apartments.

“And I liked the layout with the entry hallway, two bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and a study nook. You have around 60sq m of living space so there’s plenty of space.”

He also appreciated that the lounge and bedrooms open out to balconies, which also allows for a good air flow in the rooms.

“And it’s a more low- rise boutique- sized building with only three apartments on this level, and only five levels of apartments.

“It’s close to the uni and law school. A great apartment in a great street and it has a car park as well. This is a quieter part of the CBD as the street is not a thoroughfare.”

His modern apartment, in The Crescent apartment building, faces northwards and has a green leafy outlook, with its view out to the street over the trees.

Also, notes Matt, nearby trees are deciduous, offering welcome shade in summer and more light in winter when the leaves have fallen.

In his time here, Matt has given the apartment a tidy up, painting the interior walls, installing new carpet, reconditioning the kitchen benchtop, adding new hobs and fridge, re- grouting the tiles in the bathroom and installing new roller blinds.

He is selling because the girls have decided their immediate plans don’t include uni — one is working and has plans to travel and the other doesn’t intend to study. And Matt doesn’t want to keep his money tied up in the apartment if they won’t be using it.

He says a new owner could also use the apartment as a city base, and when the unit was not needed for personal use, it could be offered as short- term accommodation.

“I did consider putting it on Airbnb myself,” he says “You don’t get an ocean view but you do get the street views and the trees, and a decent- sized apartment.

“It’s close to the Britomart precinct for entertainment and night life but it’s also close to the art gallery and the cultural part of the CBD, and an easy walk to Parnell or the museum.”

Residents also have use of the restaurant, bars, spa and gym at the Quadrant Hotel and Suites behind The Crescent.

“It is freehold, too. That was very important. We like freehold if we can get it. If you want to live on the waterfront, then you need to buy leasehold. But we are happy to be a bit further back.”

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APARTMENT 201, THE CRESCENT, 7 EDEN CRES SIZE: PRICE: AUCTION: BODY CORP: INSPECT:

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