Accompanying a friend who wanted to look at a residence in boutique Remuera apartment building Norfolk Manor led to a family of four embracing spacious apartment living.
Maree, who bought here with husband Brian, says they were impressed by the residences’ generous spaces and there only being 11 apartments in this convenient double grammar-zoned location on the corner of Remuera and Bassett roads.
With their children grown, Maree and Brian are placing their spacious four-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at 4/2 Bassett Road in Remuera, Auckland, on the market. It will be sold via a set date of sale, closing November 10.
Listing agent Lorraine Young of Bayleys, Remuera says: “With nearly 200 square metres of internal space this definitely feels like a family-sized residence. To get such generous proportions and four bedrooms on one level is unusual compared to what’s typically seen in newer buildings.”
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Nearly 14 years ago their friend bought the apartment above and they bought this one, initially as an investment accompanying their Conifer Grove family home with pool.
Maree says: “We tenanted it easily but after three years started asking ourselves ‘what would it be like to live here with our two sons?’
“Having attended Strathallan in Karaka, around where most of their friends lived, they were initially reluctant to move but, like us, became converts to how brilliant it is living here.”
Norfolk Manor, on the corner of Remuera and Bassett roads in Auckland, only has 11 apartments and is located in the coveted double grammar school zone. Photo / Supplied
They’ve extensively renovated the four-bedroom single-level residence which encompasses the western wing of the building’s fourth floor.
“So many apartments compromise on living-dining-kitchen space or on design by having some rooms which are unusual shapes but this apartment doesn’t.”
At 199sqm, plus decks, it is one of Norfolk Manor’s largest three apartments. Its namesake circa-1800s Norfolk pine is only one kilometre from both Newmarket and Remuera Village.
“We often e-bike into town, which is also easy to Uber to, and we love going to Orakei Bay Village or walking locally, including to the summit of Mt Eden. Our two elderly cats love it here too. I walk our Birman down the road on a lead so I’m probably known as the crazy cat lady of Bassett Road.”
Their apartment sported largely original 2006 décor and fittings when they bought. They’ve upgraded it massively with the help of an interior designer and trusted tradesmen, utilising Brian’s knack for clever ‘can-do’ solutions.
At 199sqm, plus decks, apartment four is one of Norfolk Manor’s largest three apartments. Photo / Supplied
The specially-commissioned designer kitchen has a mirror-sided island, two Miele ovens and a wine fridge, and is part of the spacious lounge and dining area which open out to a deck. Photo / Supplied
For example, tilers balked at cutting power point cut-outs in their splashback so Brian got them water cut. He masterminded enlarging their ensuite which involved going through the concrete floor for services before reinstating another apartment’s ceiling.
They commissioned the designer kitchen with mirror-sided island, two Miele ovens and a wine fridge. This is open-plan with spacious lounge and dining areas opening out to a deck. There’s also a media room.
“The apartment gets lovely views of Mt Eden and Mt Hobson. And we sit on the covered rear deck admiring exquisite red-sky sunsets.”
The ensuited king-sized master has its own deck and dressing room. Its feature wall of wallpaper exemplifies how they’ve updated décor while keeping the palette relatively timeless. Three other bedrooms share another bathroom alongside a dedicated laundry; the latter two both renovated.
They have two side-by-side car parks plus a storage locker and in-house facilities include a 25-metre heated lap pool, spa, sauna, and gym. They’ve loved the ease of lock-up-and-leave living here but now their sons have grown up the couple are moving.
