Sea breeze and sails in Milford

3/31 Craig Rd. Milford, Auckland. Photo / Geoff Dale

3/31 CRAIG RD MILFORD

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SIZE: Apartment 200sq m plus rooftop.

PRICE INDICATION: $2.6 million - $2.95 million. For sale by negotiation.

INSPECT: Please call for viewing times.

ON THE WEB: http://precision.net.nz/

SCHOOL ZONES: Milford Primary School, Takapuna Normal Intermediate School, Westlake Boys' High School, Westlake Girls' High School.

CONTACT: David Greig, Precision Real Estate, ph 021 944 955.

FEATURES: Spacious, modern three-bedroom penthouse apartment in prime location overlooking Milford Beach and the Hauraki Gulf. Close to Milford Cruising Club and local shops.

When Glen and Graeme Weir set off on an exploratory Sunday drive to Milford, they liked the idea of buying a modest holiday bach close to the beach that would complement their Paremoremo lifestyle property.

Ten years later, the Weirs are still so in love with Milford they are ready to move into their third permanent home in the sought-after seaside suburb on the North Shore.

After buying their first Milford property in Omana Ave in 2002 and extensively renovating it, the Weirs were ready to sit back and relax when Graeme spotted a tiny, one-column ad in the local paper.

"Graeme has a habit of reading every single word in every newspaper. Otherwise we might never have found this," says Glen.

"This" is a beachfront penthouse with a large rooftop patio and outdoor spa, private beach access and spectacular near-360 degree views that sweep across the Hauraki Gulf from Little Barrier Island and Tiritiri Matangi to the Coromandel Peninsula and Rangitoto Island.

No one was living in the penthouse when the Weirs went to see it, and Glen says it was not well presented.

"But as soon as we came inside there was no turning back. It was purely and simply a matter of looking at the view and thinking 'this could be ours'."

On a clear day you can see the folds in the Coromandel hills and from her bed every morning, Glen watches the sun rising over Rangitoto Island.

"It was a substantial investment at the time but it has been worth every penny."

The Weirs' apartment is one of only three in their complex at the end of a right-of-way in Craig Rd, just a few minutes' walk from the Milford Cruising Club where Graeme, a passionate boatie, spends much of his time.

A U-shaped balcony wraps three sides of the apartment. You can access this from the open-plan living and dining rooms which face directly out to sea, from the third bedroom and from the east-facing master bedroom. The second bedroom has its own, west-facing balcony.

For at least half of the year, the Weirs can sleep with the French doors of the master bedroom wide open and, because the entrance foyer is monitored with security cameras, Glen feels safe staying alone in the apartment when Graeme is away boating.

A lift from the foyer opens directly into the apartment's spacious entranceway with the three bedrooms, living spaces and a powder room fanning off this area.

A single staircase leads from the foyer to the rooftop patio, which has a large brick barbecue and is almost as large as the apartment's floor area.

The Weirs' elegant renovations have included wallpapering and painting to complement existing high-quality fittings and materials that include marble flooring in the foyer, kitchen and bathrooms, and black stained, solid Siberian oak floors.

The bedrooms have underfloor heating, the hall has ample storage and both the master and second bedrooms have en suites and walk-in wardrobes.

After seven years of enjoying sea views, the Weirs have spotted another Milford house - this time right on the marina.

"We've been so happy here but we tend to move every six or seven years because we like to have a change - it's a good thing to do."