Hobson Street: Size is everything

Space tops the list of these trendy, affordable inner-city apartments in the centre of it all, writes VICKI HOLDER.

The size of the apartments sets the new 14-story apartment block at 47 Hobson St - called H47 - apart from other inner-city living options.

Symphony Properties identified a gap in the market for residents wanting spacious inner-city apartment living at an affordable price. At a minimum of 50sq m per apartment, H47 offers significantly more room than the average apartment. According to Colliers International's Ruan Priess, it's "more appealing, more spacious, more affordable and in a great central location".

Designed by architectural firm Ignite, H47 offers spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments priced from $170,000. The bigger one-bedroom apartments come with a study and the larger two-bedroom ones have two bathrooms. Symphony has already sold more than 75 per cent of the units off the floor plans.

Lack of space normally precludes luxuries like baths in inner-city apartments, but residents at H47 can enjoy a soak without having to visit their suburban friends.

Symphony also wanted to incorporate entertainment and social areas that were a bit different from the norm. They came up with a surround-sound cinema complex in the basement featuring a data projector and DVD facility. The theatrette seats 20 people and includes a kitchen with comfortable seating around tables that gives a homely feel. By taking the noise well away from the rest of the apartments, it will be great for parties.

Additional entertainment areas include a 150sq m, tiled roof garden with a mezzanine barbecue area, which can be used as an alternative outdoor venue. With great harbour and city views, this social area will be attractively landscaped.

Other communal facilities include a gym with exercise equipment and two retail shops at street level, possibly with a cafe. Each unit comes with storage under the building, and parking is an optional extra.

All except those facing Hobson St have balconies. Residents who require more outdoor living can select from six ground-floor apartments with private, north-facing courtyards (from 31.5sq m to 108.7sq m) directly off the living rooms.

The floor plans for level 1 and up are the same. The demand for one-bedroom apartments was so great that levels 2 to 6 were reconfigured. Levels 9 and 10 have already sold, but there are still apartments with views available from level 11 upwards.

Built by Watts & Hughes from steel and concrete, the complex's fit-out comes with standard Fisher & Paykel hobs, ovens and single DishDrawers. Appliance packages are available for the microwave, washing machine and fridge-freezer, and Freedom Furniture can offer furniture packages.

Residents can choose from two options of timber veneer cabinetry for the kitchens and bathrooms. The light and dark timber tones are designed to contrast with either a burnt orange or midnight blue feature wall in the kitchen. A cabinetry upgrade offers frosted glass cupboard fronts and extra storage towers in the bathrooms. Small, white tiles add a smart trim on the splashbacks and larger tiles feature on the kitchen, bathroom and balcony floors.

Security is an important aspect of H47. Residents will be issued with proximity cards and a live-in manager provides additional peace of mind.

In the vicinity of other Symphony developments, H47 marks the completion of a quadrangle initiated six years ago at the harbour end of Hobson and Nelson Sts and bordering Fanshawe St. Accessible from the major arterial routes, it's a great location with super views overlooking the harbour - and it's close to the Viaduct Basin.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: H47, 47 Hobson St.

FEATURES: Spacious freehold one-bedroom, one-plus-study, two-bedroom and two-plus-two-bathroom apartments next to Heritage Hotel; level 1 apartments have courtyards; communal theatrette and barbecue roof garden; gym; storage facility in basement; parking for additional cost; one Sky outlet per unit; trendy wood grain fit-out; two lifts to service car parking and apartment levels; close to Queen St, Viaduct Basin and motorway access.

SIZE: One-bedroom apartments from 49sq m to 72sq m; two-bedroom apartments from 68sq m to 116sq m.

PRICE: One-bedroom units from $185,000 to $200,000; two-bedroom units from $285,000 to $455,000; car parks approx $45,000; motorbike parks approx $12,000.

AGENT: Ruan Preiss, Colliers International. Ph 358 1888 bus; 025 278 0119 mob.