- An award-winning waterfront home in Devonport, designed by Geoff Richards, sold for an undisclosed sum.
- The five-bedroom house, with an RV of $11 million, offers panoramic views of Auckland and the CBD.
- The property, once owned by Tom Mockridge, features steel masonry, glass walls, and a private jetty.
An award-winning waterfront home once owned by one of the world's most powerful media bosses has been snapped up for an undisclosed - and possibly a record-breaking - sum.
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The five-bedroom house on Stanley Point Road, in Devonport, was created by celebrated architect Geoff Richards and boasts panoramic views of Auckland and the CBD.
Bayleys listing agents Victoria Bidwell and Nick Gilbert announced on their website that they had sold the property, more than six months after they brought it to market.
The contemporary house, which has an RV of $11m, last sold in 2004 for $4.2m. The vendor back then was future News Corp boss Tom Mockridge. He paid $4m for it three years prior, and sold it after moving to Italy.
Kiwi media boss Tom Mockridge, right, with Sir Richard Branson in Italy in 2022. Photo / Getty Images
Mockridge bought the Stanley Point Road house in 2001 and sold it in 2004. It has changed a lot in the 20 years since that sale. Photo / Supplied
Mockridge was the Kiwi "safe pair of hands" who was tapped to lead Rupert Murdoch's UK publications in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal that saw the closure of the News of the World. He didn't last long and returned to Italy to work with Sir Richard Branson.
The listing for the Stanley Point Road house on OneRoof described it as having cinematic city and harbour views.
“This 2112sq m private estate is a masterpiece in every sense of the word, an extraordinary 679sqm work of art that stands proud amongst the world’s finest homes,” the listing said.
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“Two combined titles provide sweeping lawns, established trees, sunny courtyards, a few steps to bring you onto the beach and a private jetty.”
The property was made of steel-reinforced solid block masonry and was a showcase of bold, contemporary and timeless design with steel joinery and walls of glass.
“Soaring solid block internal walls have become a gallery for showcasing art, while a profusion of glass celebrates a sense of connection with the landscape - a unique and ever-changing spectacle over city, sea and sky.”
The Stanley Point Road house was designed by celebrated Kiwi architect Geoff Richards and boasts cinematic views of the harbour and city. Photo / Supplied
OneRoof can reveal that Bidwell sold another award-winning Devonport home back in December for $5.875m.
Described by the vendor in an earlier OneRoof report as like “living in a work of art”, the Jubilee Avenue property won the 2023 NZIA Auckland Architecture Award in the alterations and additions category.
The vendor collaborated with acclaimed architect Michael O’Sullivan to transform the 1920s traditional bungalow, extending the home with a series of dramatic levels ascending the maunga at the rear. The judges praised the house as showcasing the architect’s “fearless” approach to design experimentation.
Bidwell told OneRoof this month that it was bought by a family who had been living in Europe. “They just fell in love with the architecture and everything about the house. The views, the uniqueness, the modernness of it all,” she said.
Bidwell sold another award-winning Devonport home to returning expats at the end of last year. The house on Jubilee Avenue was designed by Michael O’Sullivan. Photo / Supplied
The house, which had been listed in 2023 and 2024, had taken a few months to sell, she said. “There was quite a bit of high-end stock on the market at that time. That house was particularly special but it wasn't a house that suited everybody. It needed the right buyer.”
Bidwell said the top end of Devonport's housing market was improving, though prices had yet to feel the lift. “We're expecting they will with the latest drop in the OCR and the expectation of another drop in November. That stimulated activity, along with the easing of the overseas buyer ban.”
People were feeling positive, she said, adding she had made a good sale in Devonport recently she was unable to talk about. “It's got a completely confidential price, but, yes, it's the highest sale that Devonport has seen for a number of years.”
OneRoof was unable to confirm if the sale Bidwell was referring to was Stanley Point Road.
* Additional reporting by Diana Clement
- Click here to find more properties for sale in Devonport
