The view from the top

Feb 1 2007 by Debbie Johnson, Liverpool Daily Post

Debbie Johnson meets the high-living city couple who have Liver Birds for neighbours

CITY centre living does not get much more stunning than Bernard and Lauretta Hearn's penthouse apartment, in the Beetham Plaza.
 
The word "apartment" does not even come close to conveying the sense of space and grace that their home has; filled with light, vast ceilings, and awe-inspiring views of their neighbours, the Three Graces.

In fact, it is so breath-taking, you wonder if even the mighty Liver Birds might crane their necks for a peek inside occasionally.

Property litigation lawyer Bernard and his wife of four years, Lauretta, a director of her family property firm, previously lived in the fifth floor of the building, but moved in to the penthouse about 18 months ago.
 
From a humble door on an ordinary- looking corridor, the living space is enormous, and the first thing you notice is the views through the floor-ceiling windows: the beautiful buildings and the constant flow of the River Mersey. From some angles, you can see right along past the Albert Dock.
 
"It is definitely one of its big plus points," says Bernard, who clearly loves Liverpool dearly and is thrilled to be living at the heart of its architectural splendours. He says: "There is much history here, it is fascinating to be here and watch it all carry on."

Despite the fact that they overlook The Strand, traffic noise is barely noticeable due to super-strengthened glass. Lauretta says: "It's wonderful, especially when you get home from work, and everyone else is out there and you feel like you are in your own safe haven up here, a retreat from it all."
 
The main living space is open plan, but in distinctly separate areas. One section - which they call the Drum - fits inside the circular glass window clearly visible from the outside of the building. There is a further lounge area, a dining room for eight, and a kitchen, all flowing seamlessly, stylishly and functionally from one into the other.
 
"It is wonderful," says Lauretta, "because it is like having separate rooms all in one. We had a Batman themed party here and all the different areas were done up in different styles."