On holiday permanently at the Mount

Apartment 103, Sonrisa, 15 The Mall, Mount Maunganui. Photo / Supplied

APARTMENT 103 SONRISA, 15 THE MALL, MT MAUNGANUI

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SIZE: 197sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: CV $1.9 million. Body corporate fees $4119.80pa.

INSPECT: Sunday 2pm-2.45pm or by appointment.

ON THE WEB: www.bayleys.co.nz/2826566

CONTACT: Peter Clarke, Bayleys, ph 027 499 3979 and Sharon Hall, ph027227 0097.

FEATURES: Freehold beachfront apartment in Mt Maunganui, just across the road from popular Pilot Bay. Almost 200sq m of floor space with open-plan living and immaculate bathrooms. Features include heat pump, underfloor heating in bathrooms and kitchen, double glazing and double garaging.

Jody Calvert describes her Mt Maunganui lifestyle as "living in a view". That's because this large, ground-level beachfront apartment commands a panorama over Pilot Bay and across the harbour to Tauranga.

Sensational by day, the views turn into a panorama of lights at dusk. But there is also a tie to the land which Jody's family had owned since the middle of last century. Ownership had passed between Jody's grandparents and her parents before a developer bought the land, with Jody reclaiming a family stake in the property when she bought her apartment off the plans in 2007.

She had been living overseas and then in Auckland, but felt that she wanted to return to her family in the Bay of Plenty, especially with three growing boys, Ben, now 17, Sam, 14, and Josh 10. It was also special knowing this was the same section where she spent her childhood years - in the family's beach bungalow.

Jody also liked the design of the new three-level building. Its concept incorporates a curved feature to accommodate a protected pohutukawa that Jody says has been on the site since well before she was born. Jody has landscaped the area near the majestic tree to include a barbecue area. "And we have a large balcony and then three other outdoor areas."

The Calverts moved into the apartment in 2008 and the boys took to the Mount's lifestyle with a vengeance.

"The boys find their entertainment at the beach or they bike up the Mount or they walk or bike to the movies," says Jody.

Plus the apartment has 197sq m of generous floor space for family life. There are three large bedrooms, a media room, two luxurious bathrooms and the large, open-plan living area.

"We always have people coming in and out ... the kids' friends plus my friends and family.

"Living here is like being on holiday all the time, sometimes I think it has the feeling of being in a different country. You can wake up to the harbour views and people come to Pilot Bay just to watch the cruise ships - they bring their fish and chips and have a glass of wine. Plus we know our views will never be built out."

With just eight apartments in the building they know all the owners, mostly families, says Jody.

"One of the owners is the body corporate manager and she looks after the building. She is amazing; she makes sure everything is perfect.

"The only reason I'm selling is because I have three teenagers and I really want the kids to each have their own bedroom. Plus I have loads of family and friends to stay. I'm at that stage where I really need to be able to put up a tent on the back lawn."

Jody imagines it will be another family who buys the apartment or perhaps someone downsizing from a large home.

"I will miss being in this part of the Mount, knowing the kids can walk everywhere, and having the family connection to the land. But hopefully I will be able to replace this special apartment with something larger close by."