Simon had not lived in an apartment before, and hadn't intended to. But then he learned about this St James penthouse opposite Auckland Art Gallery, on the corner of Wellesley St West and Kitchener St.
"I saw the place, fell in love with it and have loved it since."
Italso helped that his office is in the building next door. The ease of that two-minute commute is validated in the lift most mornings when co-workers lament their commute times from the suburbs. But he admits to detouring to the art gallery cafe or Lorne St for a few minutes for his morning caffeine fix.
The closeness to work has positively affected his work-life balance: "People said I might go to work too much as I am a little bit prone to overworking but it is the opposite here."
Built in the early 1900s as a YMCA and later housing Auckland District Health Board offices, the brick St James building was converted to apartments in the 1990s, with the addition of the top-level penthouses.
"The apartment is a beautiful space, says Simon. "That's what I liked about it and its position and its sort of style. I think the stud is about four metres. It's high. Apartments are often quite boxy, but this has that sense of space."
Also, the large, lofty windows give the apartment a sense of the outside, especially with the views of Albert Park and the gallery.
"People exercise across in the park, they do tai chi and there is amazing birdlife in the park. In the morning sometimes you have the chatter of children going on trips to the gallery. It's nice, like being near a school playground. And often the art gallery has functions."
Sometimes, the council has art nights in the square below when art classes are taught outdoors. "And there are stunning galleries, the Gow Langsford and Fingers are still there, too."
After work Simon wanders across to the Academy to see whatever's on. "You see the most amazing films you wouldn't have thought to go to."
His apartment is on level five, reached on carpeted stairs after coming up in the lift. Inside 5B, a hallway leads to the open-plan living space with kitchen, dining and lounge. The corner site and large windows mean the apartment is bathed in sunlight throughout the day.
Image 1 of 5: On this heritage beauty's doorstep are exhibitions, arthouse cinema and leafy parks
The kitchen has loads of cupboard space, granite benchtops, Champion oven, Smeg hobs and Fisher & Paykel dishwasher. Back in the hall, one bathroom with shower is on your left, then two bedrooms and a second tiled bathroom with bath.
Simon is selling because he wants a place with more bedrooms for his three children.
"I think it is back to suburbia for a bit. If I could find a three-bedroom apartment in the city, I'd stay."
He imagines his apartment appealing to someone who works in the city and is sick of commuting. "Anyone who wants to be in the city."
