In the thick of it

409, 83 Halsey Street

409, 83 HALSEY ST, CENTRAL AUCKLAND

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SIZE: 70sq m (approx), lanai 16sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: $670,000.

INSPECT: By appointment.

ON THE WEB: citysales.co.nz #9775

BODY CORP: $4400 a year.

GROUND RENT: $6954 a year.

CONTACT: Gabrielle Hoffmann, City Sales, 021 0216 6611.

Ask Dan Leboe what makes his waterfront apartment special and he's quick to reply: "It has the best view in Auckland."

It's hard to argue with that when you stand at the full-length glass doors of the enclosed lanai area, the morning sun flooding in as you look east over the Viaduct. You can people-watch, check out the moored yachts and launches below in the marina or, if you're lucky, you might catch a waka going past.

Dan bought the fourth-level apartment in 2010, using it when he is in Auckland for his work as an owner of CSI Training and Management Group.

He spends the rest of the year mainly in Canada, and during that time he rents the apartment out on Airbnb to help cover the outgoings. "We have done a great job marketing the property. It generates about $75,000 per year," he says.

Dan's leasehold apartment is in the Lighter Quay complex, made up of four buildings and built in 2004. The apartment Dan owns is in the Stratis building, one of two in the gated complex that have views directly over the marina and harbour. The Stratis has six floors with 72 apartments.

Dan says as well as those wonderful water views, the position is great. "Location is awesome, in the middle of the action, yet quiet."

Making it easy to live here and to rent out the apartment, is the fact that the Viaduct is one of the city's most desired locations for serviced apartments.

There's plenty happening in the area. The marina in front caters to commercial vessels, pleasure craft and super yachts. And it's an easy walk to the Voyager Maritime Museum, the charter yachts, bars and restaurants.

Next door is the Sofitel if Stratis residents feel like leaving the comfort of their warm apartment to do some people watching, perhaps in the cafe for a good breakfast or for evening drinks in Sabrage.

Also close by are Wynyard Quarter, the Viaduct Events Centre, Victoria Park and the CBD.

The apartment has two bedrooms, two bathrooms (one has a laundry) and an open-plan living/dining/kitchen area leading into the 16sq m glass-enclosed lanai/balcony.

In his time here, Dan has updated the kitchen, adding a large granite counter and cabinet.

Because the apartment faces east, it gets morning sun in the lanai and living area. The lanai can be closed off in winter and used as an extra room, usually for dining, or opened up in summer, sliding the floor-to-ceiling glass doors back to form an open balcony. There is a secure, underground car park and residents have access to the building's indoor pool, sauna, spa and gym.

But now Dan is selling the fully furnished apartment. "It is a good time with the increase in Auckland prices. The NZ currency is strong against the Canadian dollar so we can do well selling now."