Grey Lynn: Freedom of choice

An apartment complex on a ridge offers views and versatile living spaces, writes Lucy Richmond.

The view from the penthouses sweeps from the Waitakeres around to the city.

Apartment 3C, Quattro,

444 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. Lynne Troth says she's living her life in reverse.

Six years ago she found herself doing the flatting thing in Auckland - something she'd never done before - having spent the past 25 years in Hamilton bringing up her children.

"On the whole, I've really enjoyed flatting," she says. "I shared one place I lived in with one other lady, who owned the house, and she said I was the best tenant she'd ever had."

Lynne always knew she'd have to put down some roots again at some point, which is why she opted to buy an apartment at Quattro off the plans two and a half years ago.

"The apartment met all of my criteria," she says. "It was the right size - I didn't need anything big - it had an open-plan layout, was low maintenance, had security, parking, and was close to the city.

"Buying it before it was built also gave me the chance to get a decent deposit together and to make a commitment to staying here."

Her stylish, one-bedroom, one-bathroom home is now days away from being ready to move into, and Lynne can't wait.

"I must admit, I won't miss being at the hands of landlords who suddenly decide to put the house up for sale when I'm still living in it, which did happen to me once.

"I'm really looking forward to finally having a space to call my own and shopping for some new furniture."

Designed by Architects Patterson with interiors by Martin Hughes, the development has a white exterior featuring balconies topped with concrete and glass balustrades, textured surfaces and aluminium cladding.

Comprising 64 one, two and three-bedroom units, including six penthouses, a total of 48 buyers had the same idea as Lynne and bought off the plans.

The complex has the advantage of being on a ridge, giving great views stretching from the Waitakeres right around to the harbour and city.

Each apartment has at least one car park in the basement, which has lift access to each level, plus there is visitor parking.

Intercom systems in the apartments and security gates at the pedestrian and vehicular entrances give peace of mind.

A lap pool and gym, which have still to be built, are also part of the deal.

Apartment 3C is typical of the standard dwellings in the complex, and similar to the showhome apartment featured in these photos.

With two bedrooms and two bathrooms, the contemporary, open-plan living area has the kitchen along the back wall.

The available apartments range in price from $305,000, which will buy you a 58sq m, one-bedroom pad with a 20sq m terrace, to upwards of $1 million, which would secure you a tasty 156sq m penthouse with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living areas, an ultra-smart kitchen with a walk-in pantry, splendid views, a 97sq m balcony and a couple of car parks.

Somewhere in the middle are a 55sq m one-bedder priced at $315,000, a 102sq m, two-bedder on the ground floor at $505,000 and a 120sq m, three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment on the second level at $625,000. All of them have terraces.

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 2

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGE: 2

SIZE: Floor area 123sq m (includes 41sq m terrace).

PRICE: $555,000.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 2-3pm.

CONTACT: Alan Vessey or Liz McCarthy, Barfoot & Thompson, ph 307 6340 bus, 021 663 000 (Alan) or 0274 991 573 (Liz).

FEATURES: Apartment 3C is one of a selection of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, including two penthouses, available at Quattro. They have light interiors, timber and carpeted floors, open-plan kitchen-cum-living areas, and terraces.