Roger and Caroline Gray find visitors are often surprised by just how much their 1930s "house in the sky" offers.
“It’s got so much more space than your typical apartment, it’s got great character and the previous owner, who was a former editor of Trends magazine, had done a fantastic renovation on it,” Roger says.
They bought this apartment, which takes up the entire top floor of a historic three-apartment boutique block in Auckland's Mt Eden, in late 2014, wowed by its heritage sophistication, spaciousness and its own little garden/entertaining area adjoining the lock-up garage.
The apartment will be selling at auction on February 19 and is being marketed by Robyn Ellson and Carla Pederson of Ray White.
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Roger is a former Air New Zealand top executive who’s just become the new CEO of the Lyttelton Port Company, while Caroline works in marketing.
Roger says: “We travel a lot and while this is a big apartment, it’s also perfect to lock up and leave, with easy access to the city and the airport.”
Their classic 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda scores pride of place in the apartment’s single lock-up garage and the building also has two ‘first-in, first served’ off-street parks.
Adjoining the garage is their own exclusive private garden/entertaining area with a simple garden producing citrus for their G&Ts.
With three bedrooms plus a sunroom-study which fits a bed, the second floor apartment is roomy enough to house Roger’s three children when they come to stay from Australia.
“I feel like I live in a house, not an apartment,” he says. “This is around 160sq m whereas some new apartments fit three bedrooms in 100sq m, so you enjoy a feeling of spaciousness.
“People often talk about how big it is, saying “Wow, it keeps on going.’”
The apartment has two entrances, a high stud, polished native timber floors, leadlights and generous wall space to display their art.
“One of the things that impressed us was the timeless elegance of the design,” he says.
“It’s elevated, so it feels open and quite leafy being up at tree height,” Caroline adds.
The Morgan Cronin-designed kitchen is sleekly sophisticated, open-plan with the dining area where they can fit 12 round their dining table.
It has a nice sense of connection to the living room, which opens to a balcony and where they enjoy cranking up the Jetmaster wood-burning fireplace in winter.
“I love this room,” Roger says. “It feels open and airy in summer and snug and warm in winter with the fire on.”
The stylish decor includes ECC feature lights and the couple recently re-carpeted the bedrooms. The en suite and sleek bathroom, incorporating a deep bathtub, featured in Trends magazine.
The master suite with a walk-in wardrobe and en suite is one of three good-sized bedrooms. There’s also a separate laundry and a powder room. A drop-down ladder accesses under-roof attic space storage which may suit future development.
The apartment is an easy walk from Mt Eden village and Dominion Rd’s eateries, and includes Auckland Grammar in its school zoning.
The couple’s move to Christchurch for Roger’s new role is prompting the sale.
Ellson says: “If you love character you will be beside yourself to discover this accomplished 1930s ‘house in the sky’.
“There’s plenty of gorgeous contemporary detail also; the Morgan Cronin kitchen and sleek high-end bathrooms are sophisticated luxury.
“You’ll be surprised to also discover our own exclusive garden and entertaining area. This makes this home a serious contender for young families as well as professionals and downsizers.”
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