APARTMENT 210,
THE STATESMAN,
1 PARLIAMENT ST,
AUCKLAND CITY.
KEY POINTS:
Hong Kong-born couple Mei Lee and Sam Chan knew that their central-city apartment would be good for them even before they stepped inside it.
They had been told so by the man they call their "feng shui master".
He studied the orientation of the apartment, which overlooks Anzac
St on one side and the park on the site of the first New Zealand Parliament next to the High Court building.
He studied the position of the front entrance, opposite the park with its big, green deciduous trees that open up the winter views on the south side. Inside the master took note of the security within the building.
When he walked through the door to No 210, he walked straight down the central hallway to the view of Mission Bay beyond the living area, beyond the triangular deck and the rooftops of the cityscape before him.
Yes, this apartment had good feng shui, he determined. Mei recalls their next visit and their own good feelings about the balance of feng (wind) and shui (water), both in the position of the apartment and its interior features and furniture placements that balance negative and positive energies to achieve a good outcome for health and happiness.
Sam and Mei work for the Love A Duck chain of Asian restaurants. They walk everywhere within the central city. Sam heads out to the Auckland University gym every morning while Mei works out in the apartment gym. They meet back upstairs for breakfast together before their working day begins.
On his days off, Sam will run the 10km or so from here to Mission Bay and back home again. In the evenings, they'll enjoy a drink together on the outdoor table. The view opposite across the park is framed by three windows above the L-shaped couch that maximises seating space within the living area.
The kitchen is discreet in dark laminate cabinetry with a white laminate bench top. One of their two double bedrooms is used as an office, with space for two computer stations on opposite walls - and room for them each to move in the middle of the room when they're working together.
Their bathroom has their laundry facilities tucked behind the door, completed with a ceiling-mounted hanging rail to maximise space.
Best of all, Mei and Sam have been happy and healthy while living here.
Sam says they feel safe, due in no small measure to the police presence when the High Court is in session.
They are keen to praise their building manager, former policeman Tony Bartholemew, who keeps everything including the pool area immaculate to contribute to everyone's good feeling.
Now they have better feng shui to look forward to in their next apartment. "We will have another three good 'waters' ," Mei says, referring to its additional feng shui features. "It is about moving up step by step."