Auckland: Very Vulcan

An artist’s impression of what the O’Connell St boutique apartment complex, at the top of Vulcan Lane, will look like.

These new apartments in O'Connell St will take centre stage in the heart of Auckland's fashion district.

Number 12 O'Connell St has spent the first quarter-century of its life hiding behind an ugly visage of glass - somewhat of an eyesore in the most fashionable street in the heart of Auckland.

But the dour five floors of office space are about to undergo a much-needed facelift, and be transformed into a sophisticated apartment development that will rub shoulders with its historic neighbours.

The wall of glass will be replaced with a period-style facade of detailed balustrades and cornices, in keeping with the classic architecture of O'Connell St, at the heart of Auckland's fashion district.

Vulcan is a $22 million boutique apartment development, with 61 apartments on 10 floors. Another six levels will be built above the existing five floors - the ground floor will remain as retail space.

Developer Paul Doole, the sole director of Vulcan Apartments, wanted to create a timeless development that would blend into the surrounding neighbourhood of historic buildings - like the classic Chancery Chambers, the Royal Exchange Assurance Building and the General Buildings, all built in the 1920s and all protected.

He also wanted to incorporate vogue design and spacious living areas that would appeal to buyers who wanted to live in the city, rather than just purchasing for rental.

Matt Baird, of Kellands Real Estate, says significant research has been done into what the owner-occupier market is seeking.

"Most people want two bedrooms and two bathrooms and they want space. They're sick of seeing little shoebox apartments," he says. "We wanted the design to be liveable; the rooms are much wider than you will find in most inner-city apartments.

"They are also seeking a quality fit-out, so we've made sure these apartments have high specifications.

"Once this development is finished, we would like to think it will be a well-known and respected building in the heart of Auckland."

Doole went to award-winning architects Martin Hughes Architecture Interiors for their "modern, but timeless approach" to design.

The Vulcan development will have one and two-bedroom apartments, with no more than six apartments on each floor.

There is an emphasis on breathing space. The floor area for each apartment ranges from 54sq m to 83sq m. In the one-bedroom apartments, the frontage is 10m wide, allowing for three large bay windows across the bedroom and living area. The stud height on each floor is between 2.7m and 3m.

The stylish display apartment on the fifth floor is a typical two-bedroom, two-bathroom layout.

The living area has bifold doors opening to a small balcony - on the O'Connell St side you can look straight down vibrant Vulcan Ln, watching people shop or lunch. "It's your own little part of Europe in Auckland city," says Baird. Below is a fashionista's heaven - Karen Walker, Tanya Carlson and Zambesi are across the lane.

Apartments on this western side of the building will also soak up plenty of afternoon sun. Those on the top floor will get peeks of the Auckland Harbour.

The entertainer's kitchen features a granite benchtop and gas hob, with Fisher & Paykel electric oven, dishwasher and rangehood. The floors are tongue-and-groove oak.

The laundry - which includes a washing machine and dryer - is concealed within a cupboard space next to the kitchen. All of the apartments feature central gas water heating and air conditioning.

The main bedroom, with its bay windows, has a fully-tiled en suite and double wardrobe. Behind frosted glass sliding doors is the second bedroom - another decent double room with a sizeable wardrobe.

Depending on sales, Vulcan should be completed by mid-to-late 2006. The building as it was - with its glass face and carpet-walled elevators, and home to offices, retailers and a couple of language schools - simply won't know itself.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 12 O'Connell St, Auckland.

FEATURES: Boutique apartment development comprising 61 apartments on 10 floors; one and two-bedroom floorplans; air conditioning and gas water heating; oak tongue-and-groove flooring and carpeting; granite benchtops; appliances include Fisher & Paykel gas hob, wall oven, dishwasher, rangehood, washing machine and dryer; no parking on site, but there are commercial car parks nearby.

SIZE: Floor areas from 54sq m to 83sq m.

PRICE: From $289,000 to $441,000.

AGENTS: Matt Baird and Blair Watson, Kellands Real Estate. Ph Matt 021 831 001 mob; Blair 0274 502 929 mob.