Being close to Auckland University was a prime consideration when Connor Anderson's family were buying an apartment for him and his brother to use during their tertiary studies.
Size, too, was up there on their list, as the family first owned a smaller unit, selling that to purchase this 75sqm two-bedroom apartment in The Romano building in Anzac Ave.
They bought this freehold apartment about four years ago, with Connor spending three years here.
"We had another apartment but it was a bit smaller and it didn't have a car park," says Connor. 'We use our cars a lot and it was important for us.
"Also this is in a better location, the other was in Beach Road and this is more central to town.
"It is a nice apartment, it has a high ceiling and a proper kitchen. The other just had a half kitchen."
The family's apartment is on the first level up from the ground, which has the entrance and street-front retail areas.
As you come into the apartment's hallway, on your left is a double bedroom with a wardrobe, and a window, with blinds, looking out to the lounge and letting in natural light.
On the right is the tiled bathroom with bath, overhead shower, toilet, vanity and a laundry enclosure with F&P washing machine and dryer plus room for vacuum cleaner and ironing board.
Image 1 of 5: A university-friendly building. Photos / supplied
The short hallway leads into the open-plan living area. On the right is the reverse C shaped kitchen with F&P appliances, on the left is the dining area and at the front is the lounge with bifold windows. The second bedroom is on the front right corner.
"We get the morning sun mostly from about 10 all the way through to the early hours of the afternoon," says Connor. "It is a light apartment. You open the windows and get the good airflow and sunlight in.
"I like the lounge, it is open and a good, big place to relax. Especially in the middle of the city, having that much room to yourself."
The Romano was built in 1946 and converted from commercial space to apartments in 1995. The north-east facing building's three levels of apartments total 23.
"It is a really good place when you are young, for young professionals," says Connor. "From what I saw of the other occupants, there were a good deal of people in their late 20s to 40s but there are a few families, as well."
Connor thinks the most importance aspect of this apartment is its location. "It is in amongst everything but it is not noisy. It is only a two-minute walk to uni, to the middle of town, and it is a nice building. It's not cramped. I am a keen skateboarder so it is only a five-minute walk to Vic Park. If I was doing fitness I just ran in two minutes to the foreshore and you can run all the way to Mission Bay or St Heliers."
The family are selling the apartment now that Connor has finished university and is starting work in Dunedin. "My parents have other properties they are focused on. Time for it to go."
