Auckland city: Lofty expectations

An inner city loft with views over a park is a rare commodity.

66 Greys Avenue, Auckland city.

Anyone who has vague notions of inner city loft-style living usually comes up short when they begin apartment hunting in Auckland.

New buildings are anything but loft-like in their proportions, which is why this stand-alone ground floor loft, part of the Parklane Apartments in inner city Greys Avenue, is such an extraordinary find.

Designed by architect Richard Priest for his own use when he converted the former office block into apartments in 1993, the apartment has been used for living, working and for live-work combinations for the past 13 years.

And some pretty hard playing, too, if the current owner, Auckland's Man of Theatre Simon Prast is to be believed.
``Parties just strangely happen here, they are not planned, there's just plenty of spontaneous moments when people turn up on a Friday night,'' he insists.

``It's something about the open-ness of the space, how easy it is to open all the doors to the terrace on the park in the summer, and turn on the spotlights. Myers Park is just such a little oasis in the city.''

The space was built over former car parks during the apartment conversion, so has all the ease of modern insulation, wiring and lighting, but also everything on a character loft-lovers list: high, wood-lined ceilings, vintage-style steel French doors (carefully specified by architect Priest to echo those of the main building), a full-length balcony overlooking Myers Park, sun pouring in from unexpected angles.

The Prast family bought the space in 1999 and briefly lived here until their business grew too big and pushed living out.

Now Simon finds his theatre and talent business has once more outgrown the space, so he is moving out west closer to his Oratia home, where he can expand into studio and workshop space.

In the main area of the loft, the modern industrial desks and black leather sofas give out a somewhat hipper vibe than Simon's most recent gig: the 1970s government office sets of the 30th anniversary revival of Roger Hall's hit play Glide Time.

The glossy black lacquer floors channel Gloss, one of Simons' earliest hits and an ode to 1980s conspicuous consumption.

``I think my character [in Gloss], Alistair Redfern, mainly lived at the bar. But if he'd had an inner city apartment, this could have been it,'' hazards Simon.

The block has a gym, sauna, lap-pool, and you can wander downhill to the buzz of the city or up the park steps to St Kevins Arcade and the boho K road.

The apartment's generous open space has carved off two corners into bedrooms - currently used as office and storage - one with an en suite.

A tiny kitchenette, mostly used for takeaways, coffee and the party fridge (along with, inexplicably, a bizarre collection of wigs) could be converted into a real cook's kitchen. Two car parks out front make this an accessible space for clients, or party visitors.

``This has always been an unexpected residential street in the city,'' points out Simon. ``The council flats over the road are highly sought after. People in the Parklane apartment building love their trees, the parade of palms, their park in the middle of the city. It's the best of both worlds.''

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 2

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGES: 2

SIZE: 138sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Upwards of $1 million, body corporate fee $4360 pa.

INSPECT: By appointment.

ON THE WEB: www.crockers.co.nz/CRE10309

CONTACT: Hamish Mitchell, Crockers Realty, ph 021 865 158.

FEATURES: Ground level stand-alone apartment, currently used as office space with the potential for a two-bedroom loft conversion. Unit title with a body corporate as part of the Parklane Apartments, shared use of pool, sauna and gym. View and balcony over Myers Park. Mixed-use zoning, a unique live-work opportunity minutes from Aotea Square, Queen Street and K Road.