An unusual bonus appealed to one of the owners of this central Tauranga apartment on top of the more obvious drawcard of stellar panoramic views.
Dave Cowdrey says his mother Lill and late father Jack were predominantly attracted to buy this top-floor apartment off the plans by wide views toward the Kaimais, inner harbour and the Mount.
"That was coming up 19 years ago, when they'd lived in a big Papamoa house right on the beach for about 25 years. They always said they wouldn't give up having a view.
"It was also not long after dad had retired from being a petrol tanker driver.
"He loved it that his former shiftmates and the other truckies from his firm could honk to him as they drove their tankers past on Takitimu Drive, some distance away below the apartment."
After their large property, his parents adored their new home for its outlook, handy central location and ease of maintenance. "They found there was always something to look at, from cruise ships and other vessels coming in the entrance to Tauranga Harbour, to night lights or passing fire engines.
"And this place was still spacious enough to have the family around. They never regretted moving here from their big house in Papamoa, much as they'd loved that place."
Dave is one of five Tauranga-based siblings who found this location easy to drop into, which became even more important after Jack passed away 2 years ago.
Caledon apartments were designed by architects Page Henderson. They're towards the western end of Fourth Avenue, about five minutes' drive from Lill's former bowling club.
Having only eight apartments in the complex makes for a community feel. The Cowdreys got to know many other residents, who are predominantly professionals and retirees.
The complex's shared grounds include an attractively gardened front lawn. Two side-by-side spaces plus a storage locker in the secure internal-access basement garaging belong to apartment eight.
The lift goes from the basement or the intercom-controlled entry-level foyer up to the upper floor with internal atrium. This apartment is at the end of a roomy wing.
The layout is arranged around that wrap-around view, with the spacious living-kitchen-dining and the master bedroom enjoying pre-eminent outlooks.
Image 1 of 4: The convenience of apartment living is sweetened by sweeping views at every turn. Photos / supplied
The 17 grandchildren and Dave have always favoured the deck with grandstand views. It's around 25sq m, by his estimate.
The golden-hued curved timber ceiling over the living-kitchen-dining area parallels the curvaceous exterior roofline. Concrete mid-floors block noise and sliding shutters along the apartment's western face shield from the sun.
The ambience is sunny and warm. A ceiling fan cools from above the dining table.
The wood-floored kitchen includes an integrated fridge.
Lill and Jack found they needed to make few changes to the apartment during their ownership, so there's potential to upgrade and re-carpet if desired.
The master bedroom with abundant windows gets the morning sun before it tracks around the layout, so Jack and Lill used to take breakfast at a little table and chairs they kept here. The master has a walk-through wardrobe to its double basin ensuite.
Two other good-sized bedrooms are at the other end of the layout with a separate laundry opposite, integrating a storage wall and the main bathroom.
Lill recently moved to a local retirement home because of her age, despite some of her home helpers' well-meaning declarations.
They'd say "you'd be silly to give this place up; just look at that view."
