Orewa Beach: Lights and storms

Estelle Sarney discovers a family-sized penthouse with an irreplaceable view.

The Penthouse, The Nautilus, Tamariki Avenue, Orewa Beach. A penthouse apartment is not where you'd expect to find a family with three school aged children.

But at 350sq m this one atop The Nautilus at Orewa is larger than many suburban houses. And when the kids, aged 7, 9 and 11, feel like a run around outside there are private gardens, a pool and even a jogging track around the outside of the complex. Of course, the beach is just across the road.

"When we saw the plans for The Nautilus we saw how spacious the penthouse was going to be and decided it would be perfect for the family," says owner Tania. "We've been here a year and are going to really miss it."

The children can spread out in the 12th floor penthouse with a bedroom each. The apartment even has a separate home theatre, which comes in jolly handy when the grown ups want to sit around the dining table chatting.

Every room, apart from the home theatre, has a view. Tania says this will be irreplaceable.

"We can see from the end of the new stretch of motorway, around to the northern end of the beach, then right down and around to the Orewa estuary. We're currently building a new home and asking, 'How can we replace this view?' We know we can't."

Such a view changes from day to day depending on the weather. Tania says watching a storm roll in is as fascinating as the most colourful sunrise. At night, lights are cast from Kawau Island to Whangaparoa.

A wide, covered terrace follows the view around the semi-circular front of the penthouse. Floor to ceiling glass allows light to flood indoors, but it is then softened by dark jarra and oak floorboards, carpet and a beautiful fireplace made from South Island schist.

Tania has enjoyed the convenience of having so many facilities literally at her front door. The pool, gym, barbecue areas and petanque court enable residents to mix and Tania says the apartment block has become very social.

"There's always coffee groups or dinner parties going on, or groups of people will get together to go out for dinner. We've met some lovely people here, so while we're looking forward to moving into our new house, we're also sentimental about leaving."

Vital Statistics

SIZE: 350sq m plus terraces.

PRICE INDICATION: Offers above $3.5 million.

INSPECT: By appointment.

CONTACT: Christine Anderson or Ian Bensley, Cornerstone Group, ph 021 261 6548 (Christine), 021 827 687 (Ian).

FEATURES: 12th floor penthouse apartment with stunning views over Orewa Beach. Separate home theatre, separate laundry, space for home office. Complex has pool, gardens, gym, sauna, petanque court and jogging track.