Remuera: Upper class

A large, luxury apartment has no problems living up to its posh name.

Apartment B, Belgravia, 12 Victoria Avenue, Remuera.

Philip Parker has a special fondness for Remuera. Most evenings he'll go to one of the two elevated viewing platforms in his spacious penthouse apartment and take in the sweeping views across to Mt Hobson, the city and the Waitemata harbour.

"I love it. I should charge people to sit here and enjoy this stunning view," he says.

While his home was built only last year, Philip loves the vista of the shingled rooftops of the established suburb's grand homes.

Naturally, being the penthouse, Philip's place is the upper residence of only two apartments on this site, at the top end of one of Remuera's most prestigious streets. Designed by Deighton Gibbs Architects, the apartments are largely single level. With a lift to whiz you up from the four-car garage, the only stairs you need to climb at Philip's place are the short flights to take you to the aforementioned viewing platforms.

When Philip first bought, at the address, he loved his apartment, but he felt the complex needed a name befitting its location and quality. He chose Belgravia - after the plush London suburb of the same name.

"Belgravia is to London what I feel Remuera is to Auckland," he explains.

Inside, the quality of the carpet, the interior colour scheme and European fittings in the kitchen and bathrooms all reflect plushness and high-end construction. While the two guest bedrooms share access to an en suite, there is also a separate powder room. The enormous master suite contains a huge walk-in wardrobe, as well as a further bathroom that features an impressive woodgrain vanity unit.

The home's living spaces include open plan formal living and dining areas, as well as Philip's favourite viewing spots, which are ideal for relaxing in the sun.

While small apartments have been getting bad press lately, the floor area of Philip's place is the same size as some people's sections. A soaring ceiling height and well-designed layout also help to enhance the feeling of spaciousness. So too does the abundance of terraces, decks and Juliet balconies off all the bedrooms. The apartment doesn't have a garden of its own, but it borrows views of landscaping from the apartment below and from the neighbourhood's leafy streets.

Although the apartment is house-size in its dimensions, Philip doubts he could ever go back to living in a detached home. "I do a lot of travelling and really value the lock-up-and-leave security of this home. "

Philip wishes this apartment was the one he'd grow old in.

He's sad to be selling, but business ventures in Europe are calling.

Vital Statistics

SIZE: 350sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected around $3m.

INSPECT: Saturday/Sunday 12pm-12.45pm and Wednesday 5.30pm-6.30pm.

CONTACT: Jacques Koolen, ph 021 625 265 mob or Rob Ashton ph 021 633 398 mob, LJ Hooker, Remuera.

FEATURES: One of only two architecturally designed, luxury apartments on the site, fantastic views and plenty of natural light. Flat, 50m walk to Remuera village, central heating and air conditioning, access-controlled lift, three sunny living areas, study, terraces and views down to a fully landscaped garden. Quality construction and fittings, keyless entry, secure and private, plenty of storage, including a large lock-up.