It is in the middle of the year that our hair and skin regimens can take a hit. Whether it’s because we can’t be bothered with the upkeep of beauty products or simply because winter’s harsh climate makes everything feel more dull, now is actually the best time to focus on your beauty routine. Helping you get the most out of the time spent slathering oils on your skin and treatments in your hair, we have rounded up some of the most noteworthy beauty products from skincare to makeup to haircare and more, to start using now. (And a few treatments to spoil yourself with, for good measure.)
With the mid-winter weather making the thought of tucking into bed early more appealing than ever, we have been turning to the latest and greatest in newly-released literature for our evening entertainment. After all, what better time than now to lose yourself in a good book? The kind of book that keeps you up into the wee hours, and gives you something to talk about at midwinter dinner parties. From a series of anthologies that offer fresh perspectives to some inspiring novels, these are our editors’ picks of the books of the season. Read at your leisure.
Anthologies
A Life of One’s Own: NineWomen Writers Begin Again by Joanna Biggs
This book explores the unconventional paths taken by the likes of Mary Wollstonecraft, Virginia Woolf, George Eliot and Toni Morrison in carving out intellectual freedom for themselves. Joanna Biggs delves into the lives of these women, and the conditions necessary for them to produce their best work. It is a radical and intimate examination of the pursuit of intellectual fulfilment by women writers throughout history.
Dubbed one of the most anticipated books of the year, the newest work by Samantha Irby is a hilarious series of essays that give insight into the reality behind the author’s newfound popularity and fame. From flop sweats on red carpet premieres to adopting a deranged dog over the pandemic, Irby’s singular perspective and no-holds-barred approach will have you laughing out loud until the very last page.
In Vitro: On Longing and Transformation by Isabel Zapata
Challenging the traditional narratives around pregnancy, Isabel Zapata offers a thought-provoking meditation on in vitro fertilisation. Through diary and essay forms, this book presents as a candid and intimate account of bodily transformation and disruption, exploring the complexities of conception and motherhood that are often kept private. It will prove an important literary companion that opens up space for nuanced conversations around pregnancy.
Exploring the consequences of cultural appropriation, erasure of Asian-American voices and racism in the publishing industry, this compelling story follows June, a struggling author who steals her friend Athena’s just-finished manuscript about Chinese labourers in World War I and publishes it under a pseudonym Juniper Song. As her book becomes a New York Times bestseller, June must confront the consequences of her actions and the emerging evidence threatening to shatter her lies.
Told with the author’s signature sparkly humour and ferocious wit, this new book charts the path of a soon-to-be-married couple, the best man, the bridesmaid and a guest. As the wedding approaches, the five lives intersect, as each grapples with personal struggles, searching for their own version of a happy ending.
In this new novel by the award-winning author of Real Life and Filthy Animals, a group of young people in Iowa City navigate self-discovery, love and ambition over a volatile year. From Seamus, a frustrated poet, to Ivan, an aspiring banker, to Fatima, an independent worker whose relationships are complicated by her work ethic, and Noah, who experiences sex in a different way, the group is preparing for an uncertain future when they are forced to face a moment of reckoning that leaves them changed forever.
The newest novel by lauded author Isabel Allende weaves together the stories of two children separated by time and circumstance. From Nazi-occupied Vienna to present-day Arizona, the novel explores the devastating impact of war and immigration via richly-drawn characters and masterful storytelling, and is a poignant testament to the unbreakable spirit of those who survive unimaginable hardships and never lose hope.
This exceptional debut novel is centred around Cece Cordell, a young Black ballerina who becomes a principal dancer in the New York City Ballet. Despite her success, Cece feels like she doesn’t belong and begins to unravel the threads of her past. When faced with a difficult choice, she embarks on a journey to find her missing brother and reclaim the parts of herself lost to the traditional ballet world. This spellbinding and lyrical book speaks to women, art, power, and the quest for self-liberation.
Twenty-eight years after a group of college friends make a pact to throw each other ‘living funerals’ after the tragic loss of one of their own, the pact takes on new meaning when one member receives an unexpected diagnosis, forcing them to confront old secrets and the realities of their middle-aged lives. A tribute to self-discovery and the enduring power of friendship, this novel is moving, thoughtful and deeply honest.
The West: A New History in Fourteen Lives by Naoíse Mac Sweeny
Penned by a prize-winning historian, this fascinating book challenges the origins of Western civilisation (namely, the notion that it stemmed from a single cultural inheritance) from ancient Greece to modern times. By exploring the lives of 14 remarkable individuals, the author debunks the myths and origin stories that underpin the story we thought we knew, and offers a bold new account of Western history that will reshape the way readers see the world around them.
Delving into the captivating world of owls, renowned science and nature journalist Jennifer Ackerman explores the complex biology and natural history of these mysterious birds, and reveals new scientific discoveries about their brains and behaviours. Featuring over 260 species of owls, Ackerman describes the difficulty in studying and finding them due to their cryptic nature and nocturnal behaviour. Through personal field observations and scientific research, she provides insights into owls’ hunting skills, communication and sensory abilities, offering a fascinating picture of these enigmatic birds.
The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Not Good Enough by Thomas Curran
This illuminating book, written by a renowned professor at the London School of Economics, explores how the pursuit of perfection can lead to burnout and depression and prevent us from achieving our goals. Highlighting the societal pressures that fuel our obsession with perfection (from workplace competition to social media comparisons and the quest for elite credentials) Curran offers a range of solutions for resisting this pressure and discovering a more purposeful and contented life.
Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck and Thrive when it Matters Most by Adam Atler
For anyone feeling stuck or overwhelmed in their career, in relationships or in their personal growth, Anatomy of a Breakthrough by Adam Alter is the ultimate roadmap. This book offers invaluable insight on how to break free from unhelpful thoughts, habits and patterns via the inspiring stories of those who have achieved incredible breakthroughs. Ultimately it asks the question, why settle for mediocrity when you can thrive? Essential reading if you want your life to change.
Tokens are the digital assets that, are transforming the way we perceive and interact with money. And as platforms take over the role of banks, we’re witnessing the emergence of a new economy, but is it a blessing or a curse? In this book, Rachel O’Dwyer proposes a collective approach to money as a transformative power. A must-read for anyone seeking to navigate this new world and shape a fairer future.
Dark Matter: The New Science of the Microbiome by Dr James Kinross
This is a fascinating and accessible book by scientist and surgeon Dr James Kinross about the importance of the microbiome, a genetic universe inside us that influences every aspect of our health. The book explains how the microbiome helped humans evolve and how it is being destroyed through modern lifestyles, antibiotics, and environmental damage. With scientific research and practical advice, Kinross explores the brave new world of the microbiome and its impact on human health, offering insight into how we can nurture this delicate ecosystem.
It’s no surprise that wintertime sees our ramen cravings intensify. This comforting Japanese noodle soup comes in a variety of forms, although every iteration is built on some kind of painstakingly-made and flavoursome broth and topped with a selection of different meats and vegetables. From tonkotsu to paitan, every bowl is full of soul and is the ideal meal to slurp back over the chilly season.
In Auckland, we’re thankfully spoilt for choice when it comes to excellent ramen restaurants which, in turn, means choosing where to dine can be a delicious struggle. Luckily, we’ve conjured up a list of our favourite ramen joints and the best bowls on offer in order to make life a little easier for you.
As if we needed more reason to book a table at Ebisu or one of Azabu’s two Auckland spots (Ponsonby and Mission Bay), the three restaurants have recently added a selection of mouth-watering, soul-warming ramen bowls to their lunch menus from Monday to Friday — the ideal midday meals to see us through winter. Offering a selection of bowls (at $25 a piece) and a number of tasty sides (which can be added to the lunch to make it $49) this offering is drawing us out of the office in droves for a satiating midday treat. And while all the bowls are delicious, we particularly love the spicy miso soma ramen, served with melt-in-your-mouth char siu pork, a perfectly-cooked soy egg, bamboo and a flavoursome sesame pork broth.
Gaining an honourable mention in our Denizen Hospo Heroes Cheap and Cheerful category for years running, Ponsonby Central’s Chop Chop Noodle House is a certified crowd favourite. On its refined list of signature ramen bowls, the cobra kai is front and centre. Filled to the brim with BBQ pork, pork belly, kimchi, various veggies, a jammy boiled egg and a flourish of fried chicken for good measure, only hearty appetites need attempt this hunger-busting bowl. Vegetarians will also be pleased with the miso ramen, which sees kombu smoked butter and smoked eggplant impart an irresistible umami flavour.
Located near the end of Symonds St, Ramen Do is consistently bustling with customers wanting to get a taste of their infamous Hokkaido miso ramen. The stock for the broth has been slowly brewed and finished off with miso, soy sauce, fish and shellfish to give the rich soup extra layers and elements of different flavours. Served with a mortar and pestle of sesame seeds for a toasty aroma, rich pork mince to thicken the broth and strip of tender pork belly, this is a soul-stirring bowl of pure comfort.
Staying true to its name, Miso-Ra specialises in the comforting bowl of miso ramen. Our favourite is the miso-curry ramen as the soy flavours are enhanced by the curry powder and the soup reaches a thicker consistency. The broth is a concoction of miso, pork stock, chicken stock, corn for bursts of sweetness, rich pork mince, aromatic sesame seeds, spicy red pepper, fragrant coriander and shoyu marinated egg. The whites of the egg have absorbed every bit of salty flavour from the infusion of the shoyu while the yolk remains bright and runny.
There’s nearly always a queue to wait for a table at Ippudo, but trust us, it’s worth the wait. Since opening in Westfield Newmarket, the ramen joint has been a popular highlight of the centre’s food offering. Ippudo is a worldwide chain, but that doesn’t stop its ramen from being top-notch; the menu allows diners to choose the hardness of their noodles, and the sides are also worth ordering. The akamaru shinaji ramen is particularly delicious, as the tonkotsu broth is enhanced with special blended miso paste and fragrant garlic oil, adding depth and richness when mixed in. Adding a flavoured egg is a must.
With a CBD outpost in Commercial Bay (as well as other branches peppered throughout Auckland), Daruma is worth a visit for its spicy tonkotsu chashu ramen. Tender slices of chashu, or braised pork, are combined with a nitamago (soft boiled) egg, rocket and nori seaweed, all topped with hot chilli oil. With a spice level ranging from ‘medium’ to ‘extra hot’, it’s the perfect thing to blast away any winter sniffles.
When Ramen Takara first opened up in Browns Bay, people were crossing bridges to satisfy their ramen cravings. Luckily, Ramen Takara opened another restaurant on Ponsonby Road and both joints are as great as each other. The go-to bowl at Ramen Takara seems to be the Chinese sichuan dandan noodle and Japanese ramen hybrid, the tan-tan ramen. The broth is thickened and enriched with pork mince yet each spoonful is as enjoyable as the one before from the added spice acting like a constant palate refresher. The bowl also consists of a vegetable stir-fry, bok choy and shredded leek which soaks up all the flavours of the salty and spicy soup.
Perhaps best known for its obscenely decadent doughnut burgers, some may be surprised to hear K’Road’s Sneaky Snacky does a great bowl of ramen, too. In a departure from ramen’s usual cloudy, creamy pork-based broth, Sneaky Snacky’s shoyu ramen boasts clear chicken broth with a satisfying umami flavour that will see it devoured to the very last drop. Topped with pork charshu alongside all your favourite ramen accoutrements, this dish is not to be missed.
While tori paitan, a creamy chicken broth-based ramen, isn’t quite as well-known as tonkotsu worldwide, Zool Zool is far ahead of the trends. Only available three days a week from Tuesday until Thursday, this paitan is truly something special. Consisting of a rich chicken broth reduction, mixed with marinaded chicken char-shu, bamboo shoots, spring onion, egg and wakame seaweed, this bowl will have you feeling full, happy and content.
Allpress is a name familiar to most across the country, primarily for its connection to the most-loved coffee beans. But after stepping away from his coffee empire, founder Michael Allpress looked to his latest venture — world-class extra virgin olive oil grown on his native Waiheke Island. Since its founding in 2021, Allpress Olive Groves swiftly earned itself a spot as not only one of the finest extra virgin olive oils in the country but one of the most desirable destinations to visit and stay. And now, thanks to its latest addition — the Matiatia Millhouse — it really is a cut above the rest.
Matiatia Millhouse
This destination exemplifies contemporary coastal living from its unique vantage point on the island’s northwestern tip, where views from the expansive windows across Matiatia Bay to Rangitoto Island are breathtaking. Designed to blend unobtrusively with nature, it sits among native bush and established gardens, where everything feels utterly calm. For a restful weekend, a well-stocked bookshelf and works by New Zealand artists Guy Ngan and David Hessel add a sense of home comfort.
number29
This joins three accommodation destinations, each as distinct, generous and warm as the next. Number29, The Ranch and Rangihoua Villa are all available for exclusive use, where each sits proudly on its own and offers a different reflection of the island’s vast offering. Yet they collectively provide the kind of stay that feels like a visit to a family lodge, where the intention is to celebrate considered design, outdoor cooking, relaxation and Waiheke’s idyllic natural environment. Set amongst the olive groves, it couldn’t be more heavenly.
Left: Rangihoua Villa Right: Rangihoua living area
Rangihoua Villa
When on Waiheke, aside from using the groves as a home base for a weekend away, Allpress Olive Groves also offers a signature tasting experience for guests or visitors to the island alike. With groves located across the entire expanse of the island, the beautiful new tasting room can be found at 56 Church Bay Road, conveniently amid some of Waiheke’s most beloved vineyards. Here, guests can enjoy the signature tasting experience and stock up on extra virgin olive oils from Rangihoua Estate, Allpress, and Number29, all single varietals and blends that capture the island in every bottle.
The Ranch outdoor cooking area
As Allpress says, “Extra virgin olive oils from Waiheke are some of the best in the world. This comes back to the island’s unique terroir, diverse varietals and climate.” With this in mind, it encourages us to look at olive oils from a different perspective. Where most discerning foodies can taste the difference between a good bottle and a run-of-the-mill blend, Allpress Olive Groves is encouraging us to consider our extra virgin olive oil with the same reverence we do wine, where we consider flavour profile, aromas and versatility.
Rangihoua Villa
We also have on good authority that the vision for Allpress Olive Grove will soon be extending, with the foothills of Rangihoua Estate soon poised to be home to the flagship Allpress Bistro, a Tasting Room & Store, and a divine new events space. All the more reason to book a trip over to the isle sooner rather than later, we think.
As Bar Magda has firmly established itself as not only one of the City’s best dining destinations (with new winter menu dishes to boot) but also one of the most reliably brilliant bars, it makes sense that the restaurant’s wine offering only continues to expand. Adding to the introduction of last year’s vintage comes the 2022 Magda Vision Pinot Noir, hailing from Nelson’s Moutere Hills. Produced with friends Brood Fermentation, the vintage is unfined, unfiltered, and a tactile expression of the growing season — made with the avante garde culinary style of Bar Magda in mind.
It pairs perfectly with the season’s dishes, from spicy potato gnocchi that plays into the richness of the wine while working to elevate its depth via intermittent hits of spice, to the smoky roasted eggplant or barbecue green beans, both of which highlight the pinot’s full-body and unique flavour profile. And as such, we’ve rounded up a series of our favourite pairings below.
Left: Bugsung of crab & prawn Right: spicy potato gnocchi
Bugsung of Crab & Prawn
Leaning more into Bar Magda’s traditional Filipino lineage, this dish melds fresh crab and prawn with a rich crab fat curry sauce, known as sauce Alavar — a take on the revered sauce from Zamboanga City’s beloved Alavar’s Seafood Restaurant.
Spicy Potato Gnocchi
Already celebrated this winter as one of our favourite spicy dishes in the City, this spicy potato gnocchi feels like the epitome of Bar Magda’s excellence. Here, spiced potato gnocchi is served with oyster mushrooms, pickled carrots and scallions, plus healthy helpings of scrambled egg hollandaise and mee goreng sauce, which results in a dish that is both innovative and utterly delicious.
Smoked & roasted eggplant
Smoked & Roasted Eggplant
The kitchen here has always been known to do eggplant well, and this season it sees a crowd favourite turned on its head as the smoked and roasted eggplant is wrapped in nori and served with coconut yoghurt, Tokyo turnip, cucumber and lashings of garlic oil.
Left: Bbq green beans Right: Pork & duck albondigas
BBQ Green Beans
With a modern slant on this most traditional side, Bar Magda’s BBQ green beans offer just the right amount of umami, smokey flavour and necessary crunch. Charred and served with onion miso, green garlic sauce and almonds, it makes a serious case for eating your greens.
Pork & Duck Albondigas
These tasty little morsels are a soul-warming take on the Spanish meatballs, and as we’ve been told, owner Carlo Buenaventura’s grandmother’s recipe. Made with pork and duck, this gluten-free dish is served on a bed of fresh corn polenta and is smothered with sauce Cocido and yellow sambal, lending the plate an utterly irresistible flavour profile that marries perfectly with the new vintage.
Known for her international career in modelling and movies, Spanish actress Elsa Pataky has asserted herself as an undisputed style icon too. Here, taking our cues from the striking cover story we shot with her for our most recent Winter Issue, we have curated a line-up of exceptional pieces to fold a little necessary glamour into your everyday looks.
Holding some of the country’s most coveted bottles in their expansive cellar, the newly-opened Somm Cellar Door at Princes Wharf has introduced a new series allowing guests to taste its range’s depth and breadth. Initially designed as an inner-city wine-tasting concept, visitors can taste flights from some of the country’s best wineries — including Te Kairanga, Vavasour and Mt Difficulty. Very swiftly, it has established itself as one of the preeminent and most delicious dining spots in the City under the delicious leadership of Chef Gavin Doyle.
Somm Cellar Nights effectively cracks open the institution’s impressive vault of wines, where for one night a week only, anyone will get to try a wine from the cellar, hand-selected by Somm’s team. While the wine will change each week, Somm’s cellar proudly boasts an extensive back catalogue of library vintages, limited edition releases, and large-format wines, so excellence is almost always assured.
As these wines are not generally sold by the glass, and some extremely rare, it makes these Tuesday night sessions very tempting. After all — there are few better reasons to rally a crew for a night of delicious plates and pizzas to share, especially with this unprecedented access to some of the country’s finest wines.
When it comes to reimagining classic Italian-stone surfaces in a more durable and sustainable way, Dekton has once again proven itself a pioneer. Fresh inspiration is found in the brand’s recently-unveiled Pietra Kode collection, a series of sublime stones that can now be acquired through Cosentino, renowned for its innovative and sustainable surfaces.
Designed by the esteemed Daniel Germani, this collection reimagines the beauty of three classic Italian stones: Vicenza, Travertine and Ceppo di Gré, and thanks to its architectural aesthetic and exceptional quality, is poised to transform both our interior and exterior spaces in a way that delivers an appeal beyond its sleek looks alone.
Featuring Nebbia and Ceppo Stone
Dekton’s innovative manufacturing process crafts purpose-made, ultra-compact surface stones that surpass the limitations of traditional mined materials. For starters, this engineered approach ensures exceptional durability, where each stone is made to be scratch and stain resistant, ideal for high-traffic flooring and heavily-used surfaces. There is also a significant focus on sustainability, where Dekton’s robust decarbonisation plan and commitment to offsetting 100-percent of its CO2 emissions has rendered the Pietra Kode collection entirely carbon-neutral, making Dekton the only cradle-to-grave carbon neutral surface on the market. And if all that weren’t enough to convince you of quality, the collection also carries a 25-year warranty — so that you can rest secure in the knowledge that the most important surfaces in your home have been made to last.
For these reasons, and for its striking aesthetic advantages too, the Pietra Kode collection is virtually limitless in the range of applications it can offer, exuding contemporary elegance via its rich shades and textures and strong, durable finishes, fit for any kind of surface. From cladding and flooring to kitchen and bathroom surfaces, Pietra Kode’s timeless allure can be seamlessly integrated into both modern and classic contexts, offering a harmonious aesthetic that transcends trends.
Featuring Marmorio Stone
In coming up with the visual language for this collection, Daniel Germani was inspired by Italian architectural heritage in decoding and recoding three classic Italian stones. Take Nebbia, for instance, which captures the beauty of Vicenza with a fine-grained creamy base dotted with warm taupe hues — a harmonious tribute to the architectural masterpieces created by Andrea Palladio during the Cinquecento era. Upholding Vitruvius’ principles, the reimagined material pays homage to a rich heritage of design and craftsmanship.
Sabbia, on the other hand, reinterprets Italian Travertine, its irregular and colourful vein adding charm to rustic or natural environments. It is a technological reimagining of the stone that laid the foundations of Rome, evoking the brilliance of classical art and speaking to the kinds of inspiring architectural marvels that thrived during the Renaissance. Here, via Dekton’s unique ultra-compaction process, the stone’s inherent beauty and properties not only endure, but are improved.
Featuring Grigio Stone
Pietra Kode’s Ceppo pays tribute to the distinctive blue-grey multiform structure of Ceppo di Gré stone, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. With a reimagined beauty and character, this stone (which etched its mark on Milan’s architectural history) shapes spaces that inspire and forge a deep connection with nature, perpetuating a timeless narrative of harmonious design.
As such, Dekton’s Pietra Kode seamlessly blends architectural beauty with innovation, sustainability and durability. In its rejuvenation of classic Italian stones, it has become a beacon of versatility and exceptional performance, sure to enhance any project with timeless elegance and lasting resilience.
Few restaurants are heaving on opening day, but walking into Tacoteca on a wintry Monday to see the venue humming speaks to the reputation this new destination has already garnered. Such is the pull of Edmundo Farrera’s vision — the enigmatic figurehead behind Snickel Lane’s La Fuente, the City’s only mezcal bar that has garnered somewhat of a cult following since it opened. Joined by Chef Patron Jean Brito helming the kitchen, their cumulative decades of experience have inspired the quest for the perfect taco. Here, we think they have achieved it.
Left: Lamb Barbacoa Tacos
Until now, Tacoteca has existed as an inner-city lunchtime pop-up, only spoken about between those in the know. And yet when the perfect location presented itself, Farrera and Brito knew it was time to plant some firmer roots. Now found where Food Truck Garage once stood at City Works Depot, it feels like a new destination entirely, where authentic Mexican is served at its most vibrant and brilliant.
For those unfamiliar, Tacoteca grew much of its popularity for its blue corn tortillas, all handmade on-site (when we visit, they’re being rolled through a press at the back of the open kitchen). They’re naturally gluten-free and, as such, feel slightly healthier, so you’ll find a good helping of them (made into corn chips) on the side of most dishes. These also form the base of Brito’s tacos, which come in an impressive array of flavours, like the rich lamb barbacoa, the fresh fish and the vegan smoky cabbage. (They’re also available in packs to take home, which we think is the perfect touch.)
Chilaquiles
After indulging in more than our fair share for a Monday lunchtime, what we loved the most was the small details, like the thoughtful introduction of caramelised crunchy nuts throughout dishes and grilled pineapple atop the fresh, citrusy (and gently spiced) guac, plus a surprising standout, the vegan cabbage taco, charred and exploding with flavour, although still light enough to comfortably eat more than just one (or two). For more indulgent sharing plates, the queso fondue, topped with chorizo, and the chilaquiles (almost like a shakshuka-nachos hybrid) are essential.
Right: Guacamole with housemade tortilla chips
And while City Works Depot is primarily a daytime precinct, Tacoteca’s hefty bar menu means that this delicious venue is open well into the evening. Given its roots, a comprehensive margarita menu is, of course, on offer, while wines are drawn from global vintages and an impressive craft beer menu sits alongside, too. Horchatas and jarritos are served as teetotalling alternatives; the former is a traditional milky Mexican drink, and the latter is a soda popular across Central and South America.
In Tacoteca, we’ve found exactly what the City has been missing — genuinely authentic, delicious Mexican cuisine in an elevated eatery setting. It’s the kind of destination where neither experience nor legitimacy is compromised. And given its convenient proximity to the Denizen office, we can assure you that it is a destination we will frequent often.
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday, 11:30am until 10pm tacoteca.co.nz
Tacoteca
City Works Depot
1/90 Wellesley Street West
Auckland CBD
Mere moments after completion, only two apartments remain within St Heliers’ Sonata — the latest luxury living development redefining our approach to downsized urban living. Thanks to its enviable lifestyle proposition, this collection of luxury private apartments swiftly became one of Auckland’s most sought-after addresses when its plans were first unveiled, drawing potential residents for the way it embraced the beauty of St Heliers and its refusal to compromise on the requirements of a luxury forever home.
Ideally suited to those seeking to downsize as much as those seeking a second address in the City, these exquisitely crafted apartments showcase meticulous attention to detail, where no stone has been left unturned. And yet the build, a vision of the award-winning team at Buchan (and the pioneering approach of developers Reside), is not overly opulent or ostentatious but rather timeless and gorgeous, leaning into quality finishes that speak to the deliberate nature of the development.
Take the kitchens, for instance, all designed by luxury Italian manufacturer Poliform in collaboration with Studio Italia, which anchor each apartment and cultivate a sense of community and connection. Poliform is an international leader in furniture design, founded in 1970 by Alberto Spinelli, Aldo Spinelli and Giovanni Anzani, and its work brings a touch of elegance and sophistication to every home. Expansive wardrobes in every residence have also been carefully crafted by the brand — a testament to the developers’ commitment to maximising storage solutions, ensuring that residents can do their downsizing with ease. If all that were not enough, the apartments’ lighting has been sourced locally from ECC, proving an assurance that only the most discerning finishes have been applied here.
This attentive approach is echoed in the exterior, too, where Sonata’s silhouette depicts something artistic and sculptural, boasting a unique curvature that almost mirrors the famous bays it overlooks. Each residence is luxuriously appointed with floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling out onto substantial balconies and, in the ground floor apartment’s case, a generous courtyard — offering the perfect space for any pets to make the move as well. These are apartments with home-like proportions, where the transition to this low-maintenance style of living is seamless.
The execution of Sonata is flawless — as one would expect given developer Reside’s enduring reputation of excellence. Behind landmark developments such as Victoria Quarter’s Grace, and Mission Bay’s Horizon, Reside is a legacy residential developer that, since the Location Group’s inception in 1972 (of which Reside is just one part of), has pioneered a new, elevated standard for urban living. This latest address feels like the pinnacle of this. As only two apartments remain at this coveted Devore Street address, we recommend expressing your interest with the listing agent, Paul Neshausen, at Barfoot & Thompson.
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