APARTMENT LIVING
Who needs art with these harbour views, asks Donna McIntyre
Walk up the stairs to this one-bedroom apartment at 37 King Edward Parade, Devonport, Auckland and you’ll be captivated by the harbour views stretching over Torpedo Bay to Hobson Bay, O¯ ra¯kei and the skyline of Auckland city.
The apartment is one of four in the building owned by architect Warren Lees and his wife Margaret. It became their project after Margaret noticed the 1926 building for sale in the Weekend
Herald 25 years ago.
“We started on the renovations in 2000,” says Wayne. “We thought it was a good opportunity to do some earthquake strengthening.”
That work is now part of the building’s charm. New concrete walls bring in texture, existing walls were stripped to reveal each layer of the original concrete pour. Red steel bracing adds colour and an industrial aesthetic. The 3.2m high stud ceiling creates wall space for the large sash windows which are replicas of the originals. Kauri floorboards were lifted, given a new lease of life and replaced after the renovations.
The building had been used mainly as residential through its lifespan, this conversion has divided it into four apartments.
The Lees have been using one apartment space as their office, another for themselves and rented out the other two.
Warren explains how he has used his architectural skills to define bedroom, living, kitchen, bathroom and laundry in the 70sq m of space (more or less). Hoop pine plywood panels were used to build cabinets, the clever table fitted over vacant space over the stairwell, the bedroom’s wardrobing, and to house the laundry which leads into the bathroom.
The kitchen is beside the balcony on the northern side. This is where the warmth of the sun and shelter are to be found, as the front balcony the one with the great harbour views - is on the prevailing weather side.
The couple own a flat section behind this building, where they are now building a house. So, they’re not moving far.
Barfoot & Thompson agent Lance Richardson describes the loft-style apartment as modern minimal. “Front and rear balconies chase the sun. It’s a world-class location on a Kiwi budget.”