But Margaret says it was only after they had lived there for several months that they realised what a true gem they had found.
Their block has dual entrances - one off Remuera Rd and the other off Dunholme Rd, where they can drive into their two-car garage and take the lift up to their level-three apartment.
"We are one level down from Remuera Rd so we don't get any traffic noise. But we are high enough up to have great views without the established trees in neighbouring properties getting in the way," says Margaret.
Those unimpeded 180-degree views sweep from Whangaparaoa Peninsula around to the Hunua Hills, taking in Tiritiri Matangi, Little Barrier, Rangitoto, Brown's and Waiheke islands and the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula. Clever construction of the Slaters' apartment means its internal layout can be easily changed. Apart from four pillars, all the walls are non-load bearing so can be reconfigured to create different spaces.
"The longer we've stayed here the less we've wanted to alter anything. The apartment feels wonderfully spacious and we didn't want to compromise that," says Margaret.
From the lift, you enter via a generous, open-plan foyer which welcomes you to two living areas: an east-facing family room and an expansive main living room which opens to the north-facing balcony.
Tucked around the corner from the main lounge is a light-filled kitchen that also opens on to the balcony. This outdoor, loggia-style space soaks up the sun all day, has room to seat around 20 people for outdoor dining and opens off the master bedroom at its eastern end - Margaret's favourite spot to relax with a morning coffee.
Because the balcony is covered and sheltered and the whole apartment block is protected by a security system, the sliding doors can be left wide open in all seasons, regardless of whether anyone is home or not.
Concrete walls and floors cool the apartment in summer and warm it in winter so the Slaters rarely need to turn on heaters. Ample storage space includes a tall cupboard in the family room purpose-built for glassware and a large "box room". The rooms without those spectacular views look out, instead, to the tower block's well-kept gardens.
After nine years in their apartment, the Slaters are ready to try townhouse living so their grandchildren can enjoy playing in the garden.
