Cool view a clincher

2-22 Devore St, St Heliers, Auckland. Photo / Getty Images

Bert Lamb's luxury two-storey apartment is in a block of three above St Helier's Bay village and enjoys 180-degree views over Vellenoweth Green and across to Rangitoto Island. Bert says: "I'm an Aquarian and I find seeing the water cathartic, so this view is just perfect for me."

He bought the apartment three years ago, moving from Remuera after his wife of 40 years, Andreá, passed away after battling cancer.

He says: "I walked in and saw the magical view and how lock-up-and-leave this place was and thought 'this is me'."

The three-storey block was built in the late 1980s, predominantly of plaster over concrete block.

It has its own ground floor entry with glass doors opening into a slate-floored foyer, well illuminated thanks to a double-height void above. There's the choice of stairs or a lift to the next level.

The two-car garage is more spacious than a standard double garage and also boasts plenty of storage.

Upstairs, there's a generous spread of open-plan living, opening to two decks with northerly and easterly aspects.

2-22 Devore St, St Heliers, Auckland. Photo / Getty Images

Says Bert: "I love looking out at the great days, with the sun beating down and the sea sparkling.

"But I also enjoy watching the bad weather rolling in, gusts blowing. It's always fascinating out there and always changing."

The living-dining area is expansive. In addition to the dining room, there's the main lounge and a sun-bathed seating alcove near front windows.

Of the latter, Bert says: "I really enjoy sitting there in the morning and catching up on the news."

He's always been an outdoors kind of fellow, so his favourite place is on his front deck.

2-22 Devore St, St Heliers, Auckland. Photo / Getty Images

He updated the original kitchen, although parts of it remain untouched. Its stone benches harbour two black sinks and there's an oven, a microwave, a full-sized Miele dishwasher and a single dishdrawer. Bert has used the microwave, the dishdrawer and the wastemaster — but not the oven or the larger dishwasher.

He says: "Why would I need to? This address has a path to just above the village, where you'll find restaurants and some great cafes."

The large master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe also opens to the easterly covered deck.

Its en suite bathroom is swathed in marble and incorporates a spa bath in addition to its shower, toilet, bidet and double basin vanity.

2-22 Devore St, St Heliers, Auckland. Photo / Getty Images

The second bedroom also has its own en suite and walk-in wardrobe. Bert uses the third bedroom, which is serviced by a third bathroom, as his office.

This level also has storage and a separate laundry, which opens to a utility patio with external steps. There's a central vac system.

Bert owns property overseas and plans to continue spending a good chunk of the year holidaying abroad.

But he's decided on a lifestyle change in this country, having bought a Kerikeri property with gardens where he'll satisfy his Aquarian nature with carp in the garden's pond.

2/22 DEVORE ST, ST HELIERS
• 3 bedrooms, 3 bathroom, 2 parking spaces.
• Apartment 207sq m.
• Price: CV $3 million.
• Body corp: $7560 a year.
• Tender: Closes 4pm 16 Oct, at 101 Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay (unless sold prior).
• Inspect: Sat/Sun 2-2.30pm.
• Auction: 1pm Thur 4 Oct at 14 Florence Ave, Orewa (unless sold prior).
• Schools: St Heliers School, Glendowie College.
• Contact: Karin Cooper, 0274 912 158, Barfoot & Thompson, barfoot.co.nz/763552