Judy Tretheway loves the fact that she can drive right up to her front door, and that the home she and her husband bought 17 years ago has a full sized, lockable double garage, and a laundry.
They may sound like simple things, but they’re not so common in an apartment.
But Judy and Gavin’s home at 2/103 Fisher Parade in Sunnyhills, Manukau is no ordinary apartment. It’s right on the waterfront at Sunnyhills, and there’s no roadway between the property and the water – another huge plus as far as Judy is concerned.
They were visiting friends further up the road when they saw the sign that four apartments were to be built on this site, and since they were already of a mind to sell their large family home, they took the plunge and bought 2/103 Fisher Parade, Auckland, off the plans.
Start your property search
“It took a year to build so we had plenty of time to think about what we wanted and customise it,” Judy says.
What they ended up with was 235 square metres of light, elegant space comprising three bedrooms and a study, two bathrooms and a powder room, an expansive open plan living area and a spacious covered loggia with its own fireplace.
Oh, and the laundry and garages, of course.
The apartment has three bedrooms, a study, two bathrooms and a powder room, and a double garage. Photo / Supplied
All of this is on the waterfront with direct access to the shore and panoramic sea views.
The aspect provides shelter from the prevailing south west and southerly winds and is beautifully positioned for all day sun.
“When we are sitting on the deck and the tide is in it’s like being in a boat,” Judy says.
“We can see the water when we wake up in the morning and it’s with us all day.
The view at 2/103 Fisher Parade in Sunnyhills, Manukau is the main event, reinforced by simple tropical planting. Photo / Supplied
Residents have direct access to the water and an uninterrupted view of the harbour and Auckland city beyond. Photo / Supplied
“And there’s always something to watch because it’s a busy waterway with yacht racing, rowing practice and sometimes bigger boats. We love that,” Judy says.
Gated, with intercom and keyless pedestrian access, the driveway, garage and entranceway are at the back of the house and entry to the property is via a covered portico at the street frontage.
Open the door and the tiled foyer looks straight through to the living room, loggia and the water beyond.
There’s ample room here for a grand piano and a formal dining area, and alfresco living is provided by a covered loggia on one side and a deck along the other.
The expansive open plan living area opens out to a spacious covered loggia with its own fireplace. Photo / Supplied
Even the bedrooms have a view of the sea as well as their own decks. Photo / Supplied
Sliders can open both of these spaces up to the living area.
The high-end kitchen has stainless appliances, opaque glass fronted cupboards and ample storage. The double height counter has casual seating on the living room side.
The master bedroom has an ensuite and a walk-in wardrobe, and an oversized sliding door opens it up to the deck. The second and third bedrooms also have their own decks.
The homeowner says there's always something to watch from the deck because it is a busy waterway. Photo / Supplied
Outside the view is the main event, and simple tropical planting and a stand of palm trees reinforce the waterfront location.
Judy and Gavin have loved their time here, and accept that this will be a hard act to follow. But a lifestyle change is on the agenda and they have chosen a lifestyle village at Beachlands.
“We can’t actually see the water as we can here, but we can walk to the beach in a couple of clicks.”
2/103 Fisher Parade in Sunnyhills, Manukau, Auckland is for sale by tender, closing May 3. The property is being marketed by Anil and Shahina Oberoi of Barfoot &Thompson, Pakuranga.
