Big boutique beauty
Enjoy all-day sun in this ground-floor apartment, writes Deborah Telford
Ahefty increase in the leasehold rent at their Viaduct apartment prompted Peter Clapshaw and his late wife Helen to look for a new home 12 years ago. “We had a built-in purchaser because one of our neighbours at The Point wanted to buy our apartment, so it was just a matter of finding another apartment that suited us,” says Peter.
This ground-floor Parnell apartment — one in a boutique block of five in sought-after St Stephen’s Ave — instantly appealed because of its great views and clever layout.
“As soon as we walked down the hallway we felt this was the right place for us. It was the view and the sense of space. The open plan living area was appealing and has worked extremely well.”
The layout of this area makes the large kitchen, adjoining informal family area, generous dining space and the main lounge feel like discrete spaces and their 2.3m stud height creates a homely feel.
Shiny white cabinetry and pale-oak veneer flooring replaced dark wood finishes in the kitchen when it was renovated two years ago.
This light, airy space faces both east and north so it benefits from both the morning sun and harbour views.
The Clapshaws’ other main change to the 15-year-old apartment was to enclose the top half of the patio off the main lounge with glass slideable walls.
This outside “room” now has a conservatory feel and can be used year round.
“One of the things I like — and which I am going to miss — is the all-day sun the apartment gets. It starts in the bedrooms and kitchen and moves over to the patio, where it’s easy to have a snooze in the afternoon.”
The patio, which has a wall heater, a barbecue space and is ideal for outdoor dining, has views across the port and inner harbour from the Sky Tower to Devonport.
“It is much more interesting than a plain sea view because there is always plenty of activity to see,” says Peter.
The patio also looks down over the apartment block’s immaculately kept common gardens and a large heated pool.
The main lounge includes a feature gas fireplace and the apartment has central heating and air conditioning but Peter says the air con is rarely needed as the layout enables good cross breezes in summer.
The 195sq m apartment is one of two on the building’s ground floor.
It comes with two carparks and a storage area in the basement, which has convenient lift access from the large common lobby outside Peter’s front door.
The entrance leads directly into a wide
3 2 2
2, 32 ST STEPHEN’S AVE, PARNELL Size (more or less):
195sq m including decks.
PRICE GUIDE: Interest above CV $2.6 million. Sale by negotiation.
INSPECT: Sat/Sun
1-1.45pm or by appointment.
SCHOOLS: Parnell District School, Auckland Grammar, Epsom Girls Grammar.
CONTACT: Paul Studman, Barfoot & Thompson, 021 998
563.
ON THE WEB: barfoot.co.nz/751446 hallway with a tall bank of cupboards running down its left side. To the right are a powder room, two bedrooms, the main bathroom and a separate laundry with a generous airing cupboard.
The master bedroom, which opens off the dining space, includes a large dressing room and an en suite with a shower and bath. Peter says one of the nicest apects of living in this pet-friendly apartment block has been making friends with other owners.
After 12 years here, Peter is ready to move into a smaller apartment. .