Much as she would have loved to, Patrea Hall never quite got around to spending a night in her penthouse apartment with its prime views overlooking the harbour and port.
The busy textile agent and her Australian husband Michael, a hotelier, are based in Sydney but Patrea is a Kiwiand her family live in Auckland.
"We originally bought the apartment with the intention of spending part of the year here and part of the year in Sydney," she says.
Personal reasons mean they have had to change their plans so have reluctantly decided to sell.
The site of their apartment has seen a lot of action, though it is a peaceful gated community of mainly owner/occupiers nowadays.
This land was once home to the iconic White Heron Hotel where visiting celebrities and rock stars were regular guests. Built in the 1960s, the hotel made way for upmarket apartments in the 2000s.
Patrea and Michael fell in love with this one on the top floor the minute they saw it.
"We saw the sign outside -- we were visiting relatives here and we drove past because I wanted to show my husband this particular area, because I've lived in Auckland. So I wanted to show him St Stephens Avenue, I wanted him to see the street that I would like to live in. We rang the agent and the next day we bought it."
She has always loved this area and once had a house in nearby Victoria Ave and also one in Kohimarama.
What she loves about the apartment is the view. The couple live on the beach in Sydney and she says the view here is equally amazing.
Image 1 of 5: Admire colonial homes and watch the bustling port just outside your windows
"At night time it's spectacular because you can see the Sky Tower. My husband and I were here the other night and it was really beautiful."
The port is lit up at night and there is always something happening on the harbour. The apartment also looks down on the resort-style pool with little wooden pergolas that belongs to the complex and to the immaculate colonial homes typical of the area.
An enclosed balcony opens from the master bedroom and also from the lounge, and the master bedroom has a big walk-in wardrobe and en suite.
The apartment is in tip-top condition with views from every room, including from guest rooms, which are apart from the main living areas and the master bedroom.
"We liked the openness; the whole open plan. We liked the spaciousness of it. We particularly liked that the main bedroom and en suite bathroom are away from any visitors. We always liked that idea, that people had their own area.
"We did have intentions of doing alterations here, which would have been amazing. We were thinking about putting a fireplace in, which you can do because we're on the top floor."
The location is fantastic, too, she says.
"St Stephens Avenue has always been a famous street, and also they've got that lovely little church in Judges Bay. This whole area is just beautiful."
There is access via the park at the headland that takes you to the Parnell baths and the waterfront, and five minutes up the road are the Parnell shops, restaurants and cafes.
The apartment is very secure and they really liked the three-car garaging and big storage unit, but the apartment is too big for them, Patrea says. They will probably buy a smaller apartment in Auckland, but probably won't live here.
