Window on a world in Newton

15/31 St Benedicts St, Newton, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst

15/31 ST BENEDICTS ST NEWTON

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SIZE: 255sq m (including terraces).

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected above the CV of $730,000. Set sale closes July 7 at 4pm unless sold prior. Body corporate $3000 pa (approx).

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-1.45pm.

ON THE WEB: uprealty.co.nz/upm10838

SCHOOL ZONES: Newton Central School, Kowhai Intermediate, Mt Albert Grammar, Auckland Girls' Grammar, Auckland Grammar.

CONTACT: Anna Copeland, ph 021 800 669, or Brent Griffiths, 021 950 601, Unlimited Potential Real Estate.

FEATURES: Spacious penthouse apartment with glorious views and large, sheltered wrap-around terrace. Double glazing throughout in a character building with high stud and wooden floors.

Four years ago, Finn Brooke wasn't particularly looking for a new home but this penthouse apartment caught his interest.

"I came back two or three times to look at it, trying to think of a reason not to buy it but I couldn't find one," he says.

He was familiar with the building as he had seen it on numerous occasions while parked across the road. "I used to take my girlfriend to Global Fabrics over the road and while I was waiting for her I'd look up at the building but think nothing of it because you don't know what's up here," says Finn. "I bought this apartment as an investment property but from day one I decided to live here."

He wasn't familiar with this part of town when he first moved in but immediately enjoyed the proximity to the CBD and motorways. After living on the Shore, he was pleased to put everyday commuting hassles behind him and has gradually familiarised himself with the growing number of neighbourhood restaurants, cafes and bars that are part of Newton's rejuvenation.

Finn says the building used to be a motor assembly factory and some of its past can be seen in the entranceway and as you walk up to the apartment, with exposed beams and wooden floors on show. A curving staircase brings you into the largely open-plan living space, which has a partial dividing wall between the lounge area and kitchen and dining space. Three sets of bifold doors open these rooms out to a northwest facing wrap-around tiled terrace, which is covered and mostly enclosed with glass but also has windows that can be opened. "On a nice day you can open everything up and it feels like you're really out there."

Finn says this is a fantastic entertaining space as it can be as sheltered or open as you want it to be and has sweeping views taking in the south of the city, the Waitakeres, the CBD and the harbour. "It's great being able to see the CBD and the lights at night; it gives you a real sense of being connected to the city," he says. "It's also handy in the morning; you can see what the traffic situation is and if it's bad maybe just go back to bed."

With its high stud, the apartment feels spacious, open and light, something that is helped by the three picture windows along the southern wall of the living area and the skylights and glass brick walls that feature throughout. Other nice touches include matai flooring and an integrated sound system.

Noise is cut by double glazing in all the windows and doors, which are composite aluminium and wooden joinery for the character of timber indoors but the toughness of metal outdoors. The double glazing also helps to hold in the heat generated by the gas fire in the lounge.

At the eastern end of the apartment, past the separate laundry and bathroom, are three bedrooms. The master has a walk-though wardrobe on the way to the tiled en suite with walk-in shower. This bedroom also opens out to its own north-facing tiled terrace, which connects with the main terrace.

If he wasn't moving to Melbourne, Finn wouldn't be surrendering this property because he knows just how hard it would be to find another one like it again.