Wandering down streets packed with period properties boasting big bay windows and exposed stonework, the facade of this home, cloaked in dark contemporary grey paint, looks like a highly modern interloper, but it can actually easily compete with its neighbours for history.
The site, on the dividing border of Cardiff's trendiest suburbs of Pontcanna and Canton, used to be a cheese factory and then in the 1970's a jeans manufacturing warehouse.
It's probable that most people walking past, or even those living in the area, don't realise that the property that extends into a plot at the rear used to be a busy, industrial building.
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The Victorian building was converted into an exclusive, gated community of five apartments by high-end property developers Portabella, completed in 2005.
The brief was to create incredible living spaces with stunning light, restored architectural features and urban fittings; to find the perfect blend between contemporary loft-style living and the vintage features that are at the core of the building.
At the time, Portabella's managing director David Loosemore told Wales Online: "We tried to develop something that we would want to live in ourselves. People think that by living in the city they have to make a sacrifice on space, that is not the case at Severn Square."
As well as an ideal spot for strolling into the city centre and Bute Park, the location of this home would be considered by many as the junction of perfection of two of the capital's most vibrant suburbs.
Turn left, and the flat is well-positioned for easy access to the laid-back vibe of Pontcanna, with its leafy tree-lined streets, parks, and boutique cafes and restaurants. Turn right, and the creative hub that Canton has become is at the end of the road.
Past owner and resident of this two-bed duplex home, Angela Gidden, gave WalesOnline an insight into living at the cheese factory when she put it on the market in 2013.
She said: "What I love about it is the light, the mixture of old and new materials, and its spaciousness. And it's got the ultimate 'wow!' factor, people are just stunned when they walk in.
"It's light and airy and the texture and look of the old bricks which once lined the factory walls in Victorian times is just something else.
"It is a very different space virtually in the heart of the city that combines parts of a bygone era with modern living style. I also want to emphasise it no longer smells of cheese; that only happens when the Stilton comes out at dinner parties!"
The original wood ceiling beams into the roof space have been restored and now combine with the exposed steel girders and exposed original bricks to create a contemporary warehouse-style space that oozes cool.
The detailing on the finishing touches ensures this urban interior style is taken to the maximum, with galvanised steel handrails, brushed steel ironmongery and wood flooring.
The current owners have worked with Rio Architects to update the apartment further, including creating moments of design intrigue such as multi-floor views from internal glass balconies, and areas opened up to reveal the double-height semi-vaulted ceilings.
On the ground floor, the main lounge offers over five metres squared of space, which flows effortlessly into the dining area and then into the designer kitchen.
Of course, the sleek, contemporary kitchen by German brand Rational has all the integrated appliances a potential buyer would expect in a luxury home in this price bracket, including top brands Miele, Bosch and SMEG.
This entire open-plan living space is fitted with New Zealand hardwood flooring, and the reproduction period radiators as a nod to the building's age are highly appropriate and visually engaging additions.
In a New York-style apartment, it's probably expected to find a cool and contemporary, eye-catching decor inside and this home does not disappoint.
The interior design throughout the duplex apartment supports the robust and restored warehouse features whilst adding a layer of sleek and contemporary design.
The white and grey-based colour palette and statement furniture complement the original features rather than fight against them, and also act as a perfect backdrop for the past elements to pop and the modern artwork to be noticed.
The current owner has cleverly divided one corner of the vast living space with a shelf divider to create a separate home office, perfect for anyone now spending at least some of their working days based at home.
The simple introduction of this divider illustrates the versatility of the room - a new owner can design the space to fit with their lifestyle and living needs.
The windows have been chosen in a contemporary dark grey and includes a Juliet balcony that can be thrown open on warm days to let the breeze and the sounds of the city waft in - that's Cardiff city, not New York city.
Upstairs, the apartment has two double bedrooms and both are light and spacious, but can also both claim to be unique in their design.
The master bedroom has a double-height ceiling open to the roof, showcasing sandblasted roof beams that can be fully admired from the pillow.
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The room has the added quirky glass dual aspect internal balcony and is surely a created moment in this home where you want to linger and admire the period features both above you and over the balcony to the floor below.
This balcony area is used as a handy extra dressing area to the master bedroom and a cosy extra snug to find a peaceful spot away from the very sociable open-plan space below.
The bedroom's roof windows have solar powered remote control blinds and there's a recently refurbished ensuite with a large shower enclosure.
Also on this floor is a family bathroom that includes a spacious, double ended bath where you can relax in the bubbles and look up at the solid exposed beams or a starry sky through the roof window.
But a new owner might actually decide that bedroom two is the master, as it also has a unique glass internal balcony, but also a very appealing outdoor balcony.
Accessed through a set of French doors as part of a wall of glass, it could be the perfect spot to enjoy a morning coffee or an evening glass of wine overlooking the rooftops of Canton and Pontcanna.
The apartment has a dedicated car parking space but with everything you could ever need within walking distance - cafes, shops, parks, schools, creative venues and the city centre - it's unlikely the motor will get much use once you move into this remarkable apartment.
The home is for sale for £550,000 with estate agents The Modern House, give them a call on 020 3795 5920 to find out more.
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