Parnell: Two stunning Parnell apartment complexes to choose from

Hedging and shutters make the house private. An expansive formal garden is landscaped with hard flooring, which makes it perfect for outdoor entertaining. When working in the kitchen, Faye can always see her guests. The house looks across Okahu Bay to the harbour. 

Village life 

Parnell was one of the first Auckland suburbs where apartment buildings were established, and as this has evolved during the decades so has the quality of this convenient style of living. 

Two apartment complexes are being developed in Parnell, both offering a contemporary and modish environment in which to devour all that Auckland has to offer - excellent eateries and bars, seaside living and boutique shopping. 

Brookside 

Close to Auckland Domain and Parnell village in an enviable location, Brookside offers 12 luxury apartments successfully combining superb city living and a degree of privacy. 

At 29 Gibralter Cr, the apartment building was designed by architect Simon Carnachan to provide residents with a discerning level of comfort, reminiscent of upmarket inner-city living in New York, London or Sydney. 

Symphony Properties development manager Dan Hakaria says they asked Carnachan to come up with a modern design that offered a point of difference to other central-city residential developments. 

On three levels, the 12 apartments (about 160sq m) boast three generous double bedrooms - one with an en suite- a spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living area opening onto an all-weather loggia, and private, sunny decks. Designed so it can be completely opened up or closed off, the loggia - opening off the main living area - has a fireplace and sliding shutters, making it ideal as a multi-use outdoor room. Perfect for all levels of entertaining, it adds to the spacious and airy feeling of the apartments. 

In addition, each apartment has two secure, covered parking spaces and lockable basement storage, and access to common facilities, including a fully equipped gym, a leisure pool and a spa pool. 

The homes' interiors will feature a light and soft ambience, using reflective materials, extensive glazing and a predominantly pale palette to enhance the open, spacious feel of the architecture. In consultation with Carnachan, home-owners will be able personalise the fit-out of their apartment to suit their own tastes and lifestyles. 

The apartments range in price from $1.1 million to $1.4 million, and construction is due to begin early in 2005. For further information, contact Symphony Properties Gerard McClelland on 021 913 994 or Jamie Allam on 0274 330 651. 

Taurarua 

Also designed by architect Simon Carnachan is this exclusive enclave of masonry villas. Overlooking Judges Bay, these four homes at 16 Taurarua Tce, Parnell, have been crafted to expound modish living. 

Stunning from the outside - a pleasing blend of glass, aluminium and concrete - the interiors, completed by Robyn Carnachan, are also inspiring. 

With four floorplans to choose from and ranging in size from 236sq m to 340sq m (excluding decks and car parks), the spacious townhouses also boast European-inspired kitchens, quality fittings and stone floors. 

The kitchens are complete with granite, stainless-steel or composite benchtops, timber veneer cabinetry and stainless-steel appliances, while the bathrooms and en suites boast ceramic tiles on the walls, vitreous china handbasins, wall-hung toilets, frameless glass showers and stylised vanity tops. 

The floors are awash with natural stone tiles in the entrance hall, on the terraces and in the bathrooms, wool carpet in the bedrooms and second living areas, and solid timber flooring in the kitchen and main living area. 

Other features include a 2.7m stud in the living areas and a 2.2m or 2.4m stud elsewhere, gas fireplaces, a security system, and Cat 5 wiring. 

Over two or three levels, the floorplans differ slightly to cater for a range of needs. Some have four bedrooms, two living areas and a study, while others have three bedrooms, one living area and a study. All have generous decks and three car parks. 

Outside, the striking landscaping complements the homes and features beautifully sculpted trees and shrubs. 

Ranging in price from $1.995 million to $2.595 million, Taurarua is being marketed by Premium Real Estate. Contact Cheryl Whiting on 0274 976 221 or Robert Barton on 021 636 330.