City Dwelling

Stepping out your front door to find shops and cafes on your doorstep is one of the joys of living in the city. Add to this the convenience of being close to work or school and the appeal of a downtown apartment becomes clear.

Creating an attractive apartment block means clean lines and straightforward design. This was simplified by the decision to use interior corridors and lifts when planning Proximity Apartments.

Previous construction projects in the area taught the developer that the wind can be strong above the mid-level, says director Paul Priddey.

To give the apartments more usable outdoor space, conservatories with louvred windows were incorporated into the design. The louvres open to allow in fresh air or can be closed to block any gusts. They provided a good solution to creating more living space without stretching the strict construction budget.

"This allows indoor/outdoor living as if it were a house with a deck," Priddey says. "The conservatories also improve the look of the building by adding another design element to the facade."

Floor-to-ceiling windows maximise the view across the busy city. The sliding doors to the balcony feature anodised aluminium joinery. A tip gleaned from an earlier building project was to install air conditioning in each apartment to make it more appealing to tenants.

With few apartment buildings in Manukau City's CBD, the investors hope to capitalise on the growth in the student market as well as attracting young professionals and business people on short-term contracts.

Proximity's nearness to Auckland International Airport makes it attractive to travellers who prefer to avoid using the motorway system.

For details, contact Paul Priddey, phone 0274 996 001. Website: www.proximityapartments.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas