Queen St: Gateway to paradise

Guarding the entrance to Auckland city, this gracious penthouse apartment offers sublime living with everything at your doorstep. By CHARLOTTE COSSAR.

Graciously watching the changing views of downtown Auckland, the Dilworth Building has been a city icon since the 1920s.

Designed by William Henry Gummer - one of Auckland's premier architects of his time - it was to form part of the gateway to the city. The mirror image of the Dilworth Building did not eventuate, however, the building itself survived as a prominent feature in the townscape.

Poised at the top of the building, this stunning penthouse apartment offers superb living for people wanting a traditional-style apartment with an abundance of character.

The scene is set long before entering the home - the solid materials used for the exterior of the building and strong architectural style form a solid impression of what is to follow.

The eighth floor of the building has been transformed to match the original Customs St facade. Set back from the main line of the building, it is capped by a solid cornice. This attention to detail has enhanced the building and resulted in modish living spaces echoing their traditional beginnings.

Inside the apartment, green Italian marble, a similar colour to greenstone gives the entrance a subtle but grand presence. A divine area for displaying art work, the area is the centre of the home. Giving way to taraire tongue and groove floors on both sides, the home is divided into two wings - bedrooms and living areas.

The enormity of the living area is enveloping. This incredible space with a strong masculine feel is interrupted by substantial columns. Visually inspiring, these columns cleverly divide the room into spaces, allowing owners to configure the room to suit their requirements.

Sash windows with intermediate locking positions provide ventilation to the room and the walls are filled with noise control fibreglass batts allowing for a peaceful and quiet pavilion in which to entertain to the heart's desire. Alternatively, the serene atmosphere of the room makes private quality time a pleasure.

The cream tones of Pearl Lustre on the wall reinforce the old-world charm of the living area and these hues melt deliciously into the soft lemon in the kitchen. Granite lines the benchtop and Italian Longhema glazed ceramic tiles clad the wall adjoining the cooking area. A special place to prepare offerings for family and friends, the view to the harbour is inspiring. A roomy area, the kitchen comfortably fits in one corner - not intruding with the living area but complementing it superbly. Complete with everything you need to serve gourmet delights, there is ample storage, a rubbish compactor, hobs and dishwasher.

Doors open the generous living area to the terrace, which flanks the full length of the home. Hinuera stone gives the roomy outdoor living area a natural feel and beautifully offsets the texture of the original Portland stone used in the building's construction. The sandstone has been kiln fired and sealed for durability.

At the other end of the apartment are the bedrooms and two bathrooms. The bedrooms are tranquil with their natural palettes and doors open to the terrace.

The bathrooms have quartz crystal marble on the floors and glazed ceramic tiles to the ceiling. Luxury hardly describes these spaces, which are designed for uninterrupted pampering. Italian tapware and mixers seamlessly blend with the granite vanity tops and large mirrors with automatically activated heat pads mean your image is never clouded. Generous in size, the main bathroom is also home to the laundry, which is hidden behind cupboard doors.

Enjoying all-day sun, the home is a gracious retreat with all the traditional trimmings positioned to enjoy the ever-changing face of Auckland from a privileged site.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 8B, 22 Queen St, Auckland.

FEATURES: Two-bedroom penthouse apartment in one of Auckland's landmark buildings; full-length sandstone terrace; two bathrooms; large north-facing living; car park; security entry.

SIZE: Approx 2174sq ft, including terrace.

AUCTION: At Barfoot & Thompson's auction rooms at Chancery, level 4, 50 Kitchener St, October 15, at 11am.

AGENTS: Gillian Brodie and Barry Pedersen, Barfoot & Thompson, City Branch. Ph 307 6340 bus; Gillian 308 9574 ah; 025 906 811 mob; Barry 360 6004 ah; 021 626 144 mob.