Apartment residents have told Wellington City Council that noise pollution is the biggest bugbear of downtown living.
A survey of central-city apartment residents - the first to be held - has also revealed a surge in the number of people who call central Wellington home.
Of the survey's 1,300 respondents, 27% cited noise from the city and neighbours as the worst aspect of living downtown.
The survey also found about half of all apartment dwellers are 45 or older. Children live in 12% of apartments, and cars are parked in 69% of apartment garages.
It is anticipated that central Wellington's current population of 12,000 people will rise by a further 6,000 by 2026.