Parnell The high life

Resort-style living beckons in these apartments, which have a touch of the tropics about them. By VICKI HOLDER.

Mirage Parnell is about as close as it gets to living on Australia's Gold Coast in Auckland.

With their wave-like, white exteriors, the apartments in the two tall towers offer a fully fledged, resort-style, city paradise for young professionals and retirees. This is sophisticated, easy living with all the accoutrements. Just a few minutes away from Queen St as well as the city beaches, the complex sits conveniently on the city's pulse, without being caught up in the frenzy.

Residents don't just buy a pretty roof over their heads. There's much more here than you might find in the average city apartment.

Tucked in behind the towers is a huge, private and secure outdoor area planted with palms. A floodlit tennis court reaches out in the sunshine high above the carpark, catching the summer breezes. Down below, a full gym, a heated 20m lap pool and spa opens through glass sliders to the garden, where a series of shimmering lagoon pools spill languidly into one another along a sandy beach that ends at a large outdoor spa pool.

Just as you'd expect in the expensive island resorts, pristine white loungers line up on the perfectly groomed sand. If you're holding a private party with friends, there's plenty of space, so other residents don't feel like intruders. The city and Parnell are within earshot, but in this almost surreal haven they seem to hardly exist.

No wonder tenants are willing to fork out around $500 a week for a one-bedroom apartment. Because of the high demand, rentals are extraordinarily good at Mirage. Studios fetch around $350 to $400 a week and the three-bedroom apartments from $750 to $1000. The residential balance between owners and occupiers is about 50:50, which maintains a high standard for all.

Another plus for Mirage is the secure car parks, thrown in as part of the package. Even the studio and one-bedroom apartments come with car parks and storage, while the two- and three-bedroom ones get one extra park.

Entry to the apartments is through a large, glass foyer, which immediately sets the scene for the light and airy interiors beyond. Architects Murray Day & Associates have taken every opportunity to impress, employing a nautical theme appropriate to the location. Even the passageways to each apartment are superbly designed, using the signature curves of the exterior to create interest on the matt black walls. Glass panels outside the doors reach from the floor to the ceiling, offering narrow strips of light that switch on as you enter.

Although the apartments provide choices in size and finish, the two-bedroom display suite on the fifth level gives a good idea of what living here is like.

The sunny living room, featuring a curved, black wall, looks out over balconies capturing action-packed views of Parnell, the city, the harbour, the bridge and the container wharf. If it sounds noisy, it's not. Just close the doors, shut your eyes and the double glazing makes you feel as if you're living in the country. Central heating and air conditioning ensure interior temperatures are modulated to suit the season.

The master bedroom also opens to a balcony. A band of glass along the top of the balustrade enables an uninterrupted view, even while lying in bed.

The two bathrooms comprise a family bathroom with a shower above the bath and a smaller bathroom just outside the master bedroom.

Kitchens face out to the view over a stainless-steel bench. In the display suite, the cabinetry is dark-stained, timber-look Melteca, although a metallic finish is also available. The flooring is pale timber strips, which adjoin a sisal-look carpet in the living area. The stainless-steel Fisher & Paykel appliances include a gas hob, oven and DishDrawers. There is also a Panasonic microwave. Every apartment comes with a washing machine and dryer.

With so much going for them, it's little wonder that 80 percent of these apartments have already sold.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 86 and 88 The Strand, Parnell.

FEATURES: Resort-style living in quality apartments close to Queen St and city beaches; views of city, harbour, Auckland Harbour Bridge and Parnell; huge outdoor living area with lagoon pools and outdoor spa; tennis court; gym, 20m lap pool and spa; secure car parks and storage part of the package; intercom system to entry from all apartments; 150 year lease on land owned by Ngati Whatua O Orakei Maori Trust Board - no ground rent due for seven years, after which rent will be 6% unimproved value of the land (eg the land with no buildings on it).

SIZE: Studios and one, two and three bedrooms.

PRICE: From $185,000 for studios to $850,000 for penthouse.

AGENT: Rebecca Ward, Mirage Parnell. Ph 0800 MIRAGE or 303 0398 bus; 021 210 1591 mob.