So immediate are the breathtaking views from this freehold penthouse apartment right on Auckland’s waterfront, its owners jest they sometimes wake to find a cruise ship practically in their lounge.
Owners Paul and Linda bought this 350sqm-plus two-level penthouse apartment, currently operating as two residences, in 2012. The Quay Street building was historically known as the Customhouse.
Paul says: “The view and the position are irreplaceable. We chanced across it before it was on the market, and having secured it never thought that we would sell it.
“We’ve been told it was rented to Prada during an America’s Cup and to Heineken during the rugby world cup. We sit on our curved window seat looking at the goings-on around the harbour and suddenly two hours have gone by. It really is mesmerising.”
Start your property search
Designed by architects Rigby Mullan, this 1973 building was first a Customs, Port Agriculture and Ministry of Transport workplace. The 12-storey building had a fourth-floor podium with an eight-storey tower above it, with penthouse spaces atop the tower and west wing of the podium containing machinery and essential services for the office building.
It became freehold residential apartments around 1995 and the plant room atop the fourth floor podium was replaced with Penthouse 3’s two-level set-up. Its two apartments, which are on one title, could be reinvented as one luxurious residence. Both levels open to a total of five decks, totalling 159sqm, celebrating the grandstand waterfront view and rear balconies admiring the central city, twinkling nightly.
The residential apartments in the former Customhouse building became freehold in 1995 and the plant room atop the fourth floor podium was replaced with Penthouse 3’s two-level set-up. Photo / Supplied
The open-plan kitchen-living-dining room upstairs accompanies two, of the five, bedrooms and a bathroom. Photo / Supplied
Britomart and Commercial Bay are on the doorstep, the ferry terminal across the road and the Viaduct nearby.
There’s lift access to the complex’s private foyer, with private stairs up to both levels. This two-level configuration could suit those wanting a self-contained area for guests or family, an au pair or other domestic staff or even as a rental for a tidy income.
The ceiling of the larger abode’s generous open-plan kitchen-dining-sunken lounge soars to 3.4 metres while abundant glass draws you towards views incorporating Queens Wharf, the port and the harbour.
This space, featuring the front window seat, entertainers’ double-oven kitchen with scullery and an Escea gas fireplace complementing ducted central heating, opens to over 64sqm of northerly and easterly balconies.
“We’ve watched ticker-tape parades, America’s Cup racing, orcas, fireworks and triathletes transitioning from cycling to swimming on Queens Wharf directly across the road. Sunsets are spectacular with often amazing light conditions in stormy weather when the sun sets below that, bathing the container cranes in bright orange light.”
Both levels open to a total of five decks, totalling 159sqm, celebrating the grandstand waterfront view and rear balconies admiring the central city, twinkling nightly. Photo / Supplied
The vendors bought the two-level penthouse in 2012, saying “the view and the position are irreplaceable”. Photo / Supplied
All three bedrooms have walk-in wardrobes including the ensuited main bedroom and another with ensuite access to the main bathroom. There’s also a separate laundry and two utility cupboards.
Upstairs’ pièce de resistance is its striking 72sqm north-facing deck worshipping the view. Its open-plan kitchen-living-dining room accompanies two bedrooms and a bathroom. The sale includes tandem car parks plus a storage room. Other car parks are available for lease.
Having owned a leasehold apartment, the couple enjoy not worrying about ground rent increases. The semi-retired frequent travellers are downsizing.
Boutique luxury Australian real estate company WHITEFOX expanded into New Zealand earlier this year. Agents Freddie Robertson and Ryan Teece, of WHITEFOX, are marketing this property to be sold by deadline sale closing November 23.
Robertson says: “An apartment of this calibre rarely comes to market. This is a very rare freehold apartment building positioned right on Auckland’s waterfront which has the most captivating panoramic views over the harbour and is one you need to see to believe.”
- Sponsored by WHITEFOX
- 3/148 Quay Street, Auckland Central, is for sale via deadline ending November 23
