APARTMENT LIVING
Donna McIntyre meets a couple who waited years to live within the city’s historic walls yet again
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Bridgette and Mark Smith waited patiently for this waterfront apartment to become available in the Endeans building across from Queens Wharf. “We spent five years waiting for an apartment to come up that suited us,” says Bridgette. “Then the art gallery space became available in 2013 and we embarked on turning it into an apartment.”
For the interior design of their level two apartment, they engaged architectural designer Rachel Higgs and builder Matt Harkins.
“Rachel understood the needs of our family and our lifestyle. We then spent 16 months building it from a shell.”
It has been a city base for the couple and their teenagers, Gabby and Ben. “This is our home during the week; we spend most weekends on Waiheke Island.”
The Smiths were fans of heritage apartment buildings, having lived in the George Court building on K Rd.
“They are similar age and style,” says Bridgette. “There are only a few of these buildings, particularly ones with good earthquake ratings and where the maintenance has been kept up. Endeans had a major building renovation four years ago.”
Their loft-style apartment has open-plan living with high ceilings. The lounge, dining and main bedroom have harbour views; the teenagers’ bedrooms are mezzanines.
The 600mm-thick concrete walls and hush glass in the steel windows mean noise levels are low. And because of the north-facing aspect, the apartment rarely requires heating.
Bedrooms and bathrooms are on the right as you enter; living areas to the left.
“We like hosting dinner parties and this space was designed to have smaller bedrooms and larger living,” says Bridgette.
Decor details include the oak parquet floor, oak kitchen island and Italian bathroom fittings and tiles.
“We have kept the palette largely white and charcoal. Velvet curtains in the bedroom and in the middle of the living area work well,” says Bridgette.
“We have projector for a TV on the lounge wall. We pull the curtain and the light is cut to watch the projector. It also creates two separate living areas.
“We built lots of cupboards and wardrobes into the walls, leaving the space relatively uncluttered.”
The modern kitchen has Fisher & Paykel 900mm oven and hob, fridge, wine fridge drawer in the island and 900mm dishdrawer, gloss kitchen cupboards and stainless steel bench.
“We can walk across the street to the ferry, Britomart, concerts and grocery stores. We are within walking distance to most things like the movie theatre and art gallery.
“And we walk out the door for the weekend knowing our home is secure. We have loved it since we moved in but island life is calling,” she says, referring to their lifestyle block on Waiheke Island.