By VICKI HOLDER
Frantic construction work has been a part of life down at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour for the past few years.
However, the pace is steadily winding down as this outstanding waterfront haven, which is so close to the city, the water and the action, nears completion.
Viaduct Point, which began construction
in December, is the last opportunity to purchase a new apartment in this desirable part of the city.
This final residential development, on the corner of Pakenham St and Customs St West, will be finished in December. Sales have been high from the moment the project was introduced, and 24 of the 74 dwellings have already sold.
Paul Duffy, CEO of developer Dominion Funds Ltd, says owner occupiers and investors are keen to capitalise on the strong demand for rental accommodation in the Viaduct.
"The level of interest from ex-pat New Zealanders is also high," he says. "We have had enquiries from Kiwis living in the UK, Hong Kong, Dubai and Singapore.
"New Zealanders wanting to return home have recognised that the Viaduct is now an established residential area. It has a cosmopolitan feel, yet Viaduct Point is far enough away from the cafes, restaurants and bars to offer privacy and peace when you want it."
The award-winning architects and interior design company Craig Craig Moller - the firm that created The Point on the waterfront site opposite - is responsible for the design of Viaduct Point.
It is an outstanding example of contemporary design, says Duffy. "The exterior is classically simple, a blend of stainless steel and cedar, while the inside has a funky modern look. Clean lines, light, space and outlook - these are features people want in their homes."
Each apartment has a private courtyard or a large balcony, while owners share a central landscaped garden area. Many apartments have city and sea views.
The development offers a huge range of options with nine different apartment designs to suit a variety of needs. What sets them apart is the efficient way the rooms have been arranged to maximise frontage and to achieve a sense of volume, spaciousness and light.
The ceiling heights are generous at 2.6 m. Even in the one-bedroom apartment, a wide cavity slider disappears between the living area and the bedroom to open up the two rooms to the full width of the frontage.
Nothing has been overlooked in terms of detailing. Cedar shutters on the bedroom windows provide shade as well as ventilation. Halogen dimmer lights transform the apartments by creating different mood effects. Simply by turning the kitchen lights down, you can enhance the ambience in the dining and living area. Extra effort has gone into sound-proofing the walls, and an acoustic layer has been installed under the floors.
The developers acknowledge that apartment living doesn't have to mean cramped entertaining space. The kitchens include plenty of storage, recesses and workspace on the extra-long stainless-steel benchtops. The bench doubles as a breakfast bar/servery and floats on legs without a kickboard to enhance the spacious feel of the room.
The large bathrooms have good storage with hot water cupboards, linen storage and space for the laundry tub and appliances. The showers are fully tiled and the superb fittings include top-of-the-range Gala whiteware and Hansa tapware.
Security is a prime consideration and access and surveillance systems, including CCTV, are the latest technology. Secure underground parking is electronically accessed and includes individual storage lockers as a further safeguard.
Like its elegant neighbour at The Point, Viaduct Point is poised to become one of Auckland's most desirable addresses and well placed to win architectural awards.
Vital statistics
Address: Viaduct Point, cnr Packenham St and Customs St West, Viaduct Harbour.
Features: Waterfront apartments with balcony or courtyard; 2.6m stud; sliding doors to decks from living areas; timber strip flooring in kitchens; sliding cedar shutters in bedrooms; Hansa tapware; stainless-steel benches and sink; lacquered kitchen cabinets; Fisher & Paykel kitchen appliances; security includes CCTV, audio access; rubbish chute to basement on each level.
Size: Studio 39 sq m; one bedroom 52 sq m; duplex or two bedroom 78 sq m to 101 sq m; three bedroom plus study 156 sq m.
Price: From $205,000 to $807,000.
Agent: Simon Curtis (marketing manager) and Philip Toogood (sales manager), Viaduct Point. Ph Simon 415 6415; Philip 357 3872
Slick city elegance
By VICKI HOLDER
Frantic construction work has been a part of life down at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour for the past few years.
However, the pace is steadily winding down as this outstanding waterfront haven, which is so close to the city, the water and the action, nears completion.
Viaduct Point, which began construction
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