After living in Takapuna for 23 years, Mary McLeod is well placed to sing the praises of the seaside suburb.
"Obviously there's the beach, which is lovely, and the cafes and restaurants, and the shopping. It's got a great relaxed lifestyle and a vibrancy you don't getin a lot of other places," she says.
"Plus it's got a lot of everyday amenities, such as good healthcare and schools. There's a reason it's such a popular place to live - it has everything."
She sounds a little bit regretful that she doesn't actually live there any more - husband Tony's desire for a home with a view prompted a house search that saw them buying in Devonport.
But their move will result in dozens of other people getting the opportunity to enjoy everything Takapuna has to offer.
That's because instead of selling the house they built and lived in on Tennyson Ave for more than two decades, the couple are shifting it off the site and constructing apartments on the land.
They bought two houses on the cross-leased section next door, which will also be removed, so there is more space to construct the apartments, to be called The Loxley.
This is not the first time the McLeods have ventured into property development - the entrepreneurial couple have previously built homes in Northcote.
And they have experience constructing buildings to accommodate the childcare centres they run.
The Loxley is a much more ambitious project, however, so they have made sure they've brought lots of experts on board.
"Both Tony and I are ex-army, and you are trained to work with people who know more than you, to assess their opinions and to direct their efforts to get the best possible results," says Mary.
Phillips Associates (Architecture & Urban Design) Ltd. has come up with a design that creates 53 apartments in two separate, striking-looking five-level buildings that are linked by a covered walkway.
Having two buildings instead of one means 38 of the 53 apartments have corner perspectives, with two exterior walls.
Loxely development. Photo / Supplied
Many of the apartments will have views of the Waitemata Harbour and the city, or Takapuna, while the ground floor units have private, landscaped courtyards.
One special feature of the Loxley is the roof garden on top of the rear building. It will have seating and a barbecue, sweeping views from Bayswater Marina to downtown Auckland and be available for all the residents to use.
"That was my idea, and I had to fight for it, but I am glad we've got it. It's going to be a really lovely, sociable space."
Mary also put a lot of thought into making sure the apartments, as well as looking great, are going to be practical to live in.
"I've always had a lot of input into the design of our childcare centres and there were some similarities with the apartments, for example, looking at things like having enough storage space to put items away.
"I always look at things like, 'Is there enough space on the kitchen bench to prepare meals?' Your home has to be functional and easy to live in as well as comfortable."
Ursula Vlasic from Northspace Interior Design worked on the interiors, following the McLeods' instructions for stylish, elegant spaces.
The open-plan living areas will have timber floors and floor to ceiling windows opening out to a balcony.
Loxely development. Photo / Supplied
Sleek cabinetry and quartz benchtops will be a feature of the kitchens, while the bathrooms will be fully tiled, creating a luxurious feel.
Mary says she and Tony are determined to create a development that will do justice to the area.
