Making the Parnell grade

Quality fittings and stylish interiors set these new Parnell apartments apart from the rest - not to mention the swimming pool and the gym. VICKI HOLDER reports.

A $25 million development in the heart of Parnell consisting of 27 apartments above a 38-suite hotel looks set to make an architectural statement.

The Arena Hotel and apartment complex, which includes a luxury penthouse, is the brainchild of Hemisphere Group. Designed by Richard Nash of architects RTA Studio, the complex is in response to the increasing demand for modern apartment living outside the inner city.

The seven-storey development will occupy a block that runs between Heather and Cheshire Sts, which is behind Parnell Rd. It will provide 200 secure underground car parks, a gym and a suspended lap pool.

Bastiaan Struyk, of Hemisphere Group, says it will be one of the most stunning buildings in Auckland, which will meet the highest levels of specification in terms of construction and fit-out.

"Parnell is one of Auckland's most sought-after addresses," he says. "At the moment, demand for modern apartments exceeds supply. We're trying to create something truly unique to Parnell, and Arena will be unparalleled in terms of location, quality and style."

Arena's display suite in Cheshire St showcases the highly contemporary design of the spacious apartments. Interior designer Alasdair Hood, of Vanilla Space, has created a sophisticated atmosphere using quality fittings and strong lines against a modern white palette.

For the ultimate in sound proofing, the complex will have masonry party walls. The pure wool carpet has been dyed a deep espresso colour by Feltex, while the timber floors are made with wood recycled from the cigar factory that once stood on the Cheshire St site. The timber on the island kitchen bench and the bathroom vanity is American oak, which has been stained dark to look like wenge.

The centre-piece of the display kitchen is a magnificent benchtop made with reconstituted Italian granite. Accounting for around 25 per cent of the cost of the living area, it's expensive, but Struyk believes it's the kind of quality product people expect in Parnell.

The kitchen appliances include a free-standing stainless-steel Smeg electric rotisserie, a twin-fan 900mm oven and a Fisher & Paykel double DishDrawer. The slide-out Hafele pantry trays have been selected for their efficient use of pantry space.

The mosaic glass-tiled bathroom is behind frameless glass doors. The designer tapware and toilet are teamed with imported, stainless-steel, ladder-style towel racks.

The large balconies on the one-, two- and three-bedroom freehold apartments will face north or west to views of the Domain, the city skyline or Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf. Due to the height and residential zoning of the complex, the views can never be built out.

Each apartment will have two car parks and provision for storage in the basement.

Other projects by Hemisphere Group include Hemisphere, a 24-unit apartment building in Augustus Tce, Parnell, which was built in 1999.

The construction of Arena begins next month and completion is expected in November next year, just ahead of the Louis Vuitton Challenger series and the America's Cup.

Vital statistics

Address: Arena, Cheshire St, Parnell.

Features: 27 freehold apartments sharing amenities of a 38-suite hotel, including a gym, a lap pool and a concierge; masonry construction; high stud height; city or harbour views; two car parks per apartment.

Size: 1 x 1 bed, 10 x 2 beds, 15 x 3 beds, and a 218 sq m penthouse. Floor areas from 60 to 186 sq m for the 1-3 bedroom apartments, with an average of 90 sq m.

Price: $315,000 to $495,000, and $1,200,000 for the penthouse.

Contact: Joan Vujcich, Hemisphere Group. Ph 0274 912 573 mob.