PENTHOUSE APARTMENT, 238 KARANGAHAPE RD

Ladies Lingerie began an enduring love affair for Andrew Bowker that seven years on shows no signs of flagging.

In 2009, Andrew moved into Karangahape Rd’s George Court building, which had been an iconic Auckland department store for 62 years before it closed in 1988, then was converted into upmarket apartments in 1993.

Andrew’s first-floor apartment was in the former ladies lingerie section of the 1920s building, which still has many of its grand, original features including high ceilings, hardwood floors and the sweeping staircase in its stately street-level foyer.

Andrew loved living in the elegant old building so much that when a larger apartment came up for sale he was quick to buy it from a friend.

“I started in ladies lingerie and have moved up to management,” he says of the well-appointed penthouse he has lived in for five years.

The penthouse, one of three in the building that face K Rd, has commanding northern views over the CBD to the Auckland Harbour Bridge and Rangitoto Island.

Andrew’s partner Gail Pearson moved in 18 months ago and the couple, who love design and are avid art collectors, have renovated the penthouse to maximise its generous internal and external spaces and create more areas for their many artworks.

When Andrew bought the penthouse, which is 164sq m excluding two large decks and two basement carparks, it had one bedroom, one bathroom and a narrow entrance hall that led to an over-sized, but under-used central living space.

By reconfiguring some existing walls, adding new ones and shifting the kitchen from the west to the east side of the apartment, they have created a second bedroom, a second bathroom, and two semi open-plan living rooms and a dining room.

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Widening the hallway included installing recessed sculpture display cases with glass covers that are flush with the floor. Three trapdoors have also been recessed into the apartment’s beautiful hardwood floors so that the rest of the large space beneath them can be used for extra storage.

The large new kitchen, which has views across to Mt Eden and catches the morning sun, features black lacquered cabinets, mirrored kickboards, black Smeg wall ovens and a hidden wine fridge.

The study and master bedroom, which has its own deck complete with outdoor bath, are also on this eastern side of the apartment.

Gail and Andrew have widened the north-facing front deck, which is now about 44 sq m and more like an outdoor room.

After living in a house with a garden, Gail says she thought it would take a while to adjust to apartment life and living on K Rd.

But she and Andrew have embraced the uptown area, which they say is developing a positive, edgy feel. Having bus stops for both the Inner and City Links at their front door makes using public transport a breeze and their favourite bars, cafes and art galleries are just a short walk away.

The couple, who have seven adult children between them, now want more room for when family members come to stay.

They both love the George Court building so much that the yplan is to move 20 metres across the way – from management to the tea rooms.

- NZ Herald

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