Creature comforts

This two-bedroom apartment on the twelfth floor offers trendy living in a building reminiscent of a bygone age. By VICKI HOLDER.

Although it's only four years old, the Connaught Residential Apartments evoke the classical features and characteristic elegance of a much older building.

Bold, intricate, Art Nouveau-style, steel and glass lamps light the way up steps to the spacious entry beneath grand, twin archways. As visitors pass through the secure lobby and arrive in the generous foyer, the oak-panelled dado boards, ornate plaster cornices and checkerboard-style floor reinforce the initial impression of a lavish 1930s hotel.

Yet with its creature comforts there's clearly nothing aged about the swish apartment on the sub-penthouse level, which is 12 floors up. It's as light and open as any modern home.

On the north-west corner of the building, the apartment looks out to dazzling Hauraki Gulf, port and city views through an expanse of glass. The sun streams in all day long, making it warm and cosy in winter. In summer, the owner can open up the windows or step out through glass sliders to a balcony deep enough to accommodate a barbecue.

Furnished in a creamy, neutral palette with pale walls, cream curtains and bone-coloured carpet, the apartment's view grabs your attention wherever you walk.

A passage leads from the entry, past the bathroom and two bedrooms, to the kitchen. Open to the rest of the room, the pale, travertine marble-style, laminate bench swings around into the living area. It's neat and compact yet provides ample space for preparing meals. There is also a Fisher & Paykel oven, convection hob and dishwasher.

Separate from a spacious sitting space, the dining area is alongside the bay window. It works very well, whether the owners are enjoying their own company or that of their guests.

The bedrooms, on the west side of the apartment, open through sliders to the balcony. With the property being so high up, the balcony doors can be left open day and night.

The bathroom incorporates laundry appliances behind the door. It features a tiled floor and an attractive tiled listello around the walls. There is a glass shower with a mirror above a vanity, which is broad enough for your bathroom lotions and potions.

In the heart of the city, opposite Auckland University, the Connaught's studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, plus the penthouse, have proved popular among investors and owner occupiers. Many people with links to the university have bought more than one apartment in the building, to live in one and rent out the other.

Inner city residents are attracted by the security features. Each resident has a key that gives them access to their floor as well as the shared facilities. Double security is provided by the lobby that precedes the foyer.

The facility has the added security of a live-in manager who maintains the building to an immaculate standard. The foyer and corridors are always tidy and show no signs of wear and tear.

The gym and the 15m heated swimming pool area are as pristine as the day they were built. It's a welcoming area that extends through french doors to a terrace. It can be opened up and used as a great entertaining space by the apartment owners.

Car parking and storage are underneath the apartments and two spacious lifts are provided for residents.

Vital statistics:

ADDRESS: Apartment 12F, the Connaught Residential Apartments, 14 Waterloo Quadrant, Auckland.

FEATURES: Two-bedroom apartment on 12th floor of as-new, older-style apartment building in the city; harbour and city views; living area and bedrooms open to balcony; shared gym and heated indoor swimming pool opening to entertaining terrace; car parking and storage; two lifts; good security systems; live-in manager's intercom, TV and video connections.

SIZE: Floor area 80.45sq m.

PRICE: $495,000 (fully furnished).

AGENT: Stuart Bell, City Sales. Ph 303 0601 bus; 021 354 269 mob.