Penthouse pride

When Bob Strevens paid the deposit on his penthouse, he didn’t part with a cent. Instead, he sold 70 sq m of his land next door to enable the developer of this twin apartment complex to meet town planning requirements for a third dwelling, a stand-alone house, to his development.

That transaction became Bob and Diane’s non-cash deposit on their single-level penthouse apartment in this block of two at the end of their shared driveway.

For this couple who had lived next door for 16 years, this unexpected opportunity gave them the downsized, upmarket lifestyle change they had been looking for when they met the developer at an Open Home further up the street.

For Bob and Diane, the chance to buy off the plans came with immeasurable extra benefits too. Bob did not like the architects’ floor plan so he sat down with a blank sheet of paper and re-designed the layout to scale.

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For the past 10 years, they’ve enjoyed, with pride, their bespoke-designed home that has been perfect for their love of books, art and sculptural collections. Weather-permitting, they’ll take their morning coffee out on their large covered deck where they enjoy the west-facing views past Bastion Point to Devonport and North Head.

At the other end of the house where the architect had originally sited their living areas, they get the morning sun in through their master bedroom that overlooks bush filled with birdsong and the lawn of the apartment below.

Bob and Diane’s redesign also included their “must have” lift from the ground floor up to their lobby outside their “front” door.

Inside, their priorities were scale, proportion, display shelving and storage, along with the plumbing, gas and electrical essentials. Walking through this apartment Diane shows off a double linen cupboard at the end of the rear hallway that services the master bedroom, guest bedroom and the study/even larger third bedroom.

Just past the front door and opposite the purpose-built laundry with plentiful storage, two more double cupboard doors hide Bob’s personal pride and joy. Backing onto the kitchen wall close to plumbing facilities, this space has acquired gentlemanly status as a built-in bar complete with a sink, bench and shelving for glassware.

For this sociable couple, it has been a boon for entertaining, alongside their kitchen with its expansive front and back bench food preparation space. “It is wonderful being in the kitchen cooking and still being able to join in the conversation with guests,” says Diane.

In the kitchen, Bob set out to maximise every design feature. “We wanted a feeling of spaciousness. We didn’t want to feel restricted in any way.”

That feeling is evident in their main deck-side lounge and, through full-height sliding doors, their “winter lounge”. In this snug space, their fireplace is at one end and their TV at the opposite end with moveable seating in the middle.

“The biggest thrill is having everything working perfectly and not having to walk around furniture as you move through the house,” says Diane.

Now Bob, a former retailer, and Diane, a former teacher, are downsizing further into retirement village living at Grace Joel in neighbouring St Heliers, which continues their unbroken 55 years of married life lived in St Heliers and Mission Bay.

Find out more about 2/35 Selwyn Avenue, Mission Bay