- Restoration work has begun on the 120-year-old Clark House in Hobsonville, West Auckland.
- Developer David Fermah is collaborating with Heritage New Zealand to restore the mansion and add modern features.
- Fermah also plans to build 54 low-cost houses nearby, with rebates for essential workers.
Restoration work has begun on the West Auckland home that King Charles III sold to a developer last year.
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OneRoof got an exclusive look behind the hoardings as building teams carefully bring the 120-year-old Clark House, in Hobsonville, back to life.
The heritage-listed mansion hit the headlines at the end of 2022 when it was listed for sale. King Charles had just ascended the throne, and as head of state, was the de facto owner of all Crown real estate in New Zealand.
His connection to Clark House was highlighted by the listing agent, Harcourts’ Graham Lewis, sparking a flurry of headlines. The property went on to become OneRoof’s most‑viewed listing of the year.
King Charles III with Queen Camilla. The head of state was technically on the title deed when Clark House hit the market at the end of 2022. Photo / Getty Images
Inside the faded mansion. Fermah has enlisted an expert team to help bring the historic home back to life. Photo / Supplied
The 732sqm Italianate-style brick villa had been used by the Royal New Zealand Air Force from 1950 until 2016.
The new owner, developer David Fermah, told OneRoof that he knew it was the house for him as soon as he saw it. He paid “in excess” of the $5.2m asking price for the 1.9ha estate and used the time until the deal settled in mid-October to line up planning approval for the renovation and a subdivision.
Fermah is working closely with Heritage New Zealand to restore the mansion. Needing attention are the tin ceilings, the original painted plaster, the marble fireplaces and the native timber stairs and joinery. He has tapped a team of 18 experts, including heritage architects, engineers, planners, arborists and archaeologists.
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The restored house will have a modern kitchen and scullery, six bedrooms, five marble bathrooms, two offices, and multiple living rooms. The Sydney foundry that manufactured the original iron posts and fretwork on the balconies will make new pieces, and Fermah has found talent to repair the intricate tessellated tile floors. A new tennis court is a nod to the property’s history, which once housed the original Auckland Tennis Club.
Under the house, there are remains of original kilns and old hot water pipes used by the Clarks to test finishes for their factory next door at Limeburners Bay. That will be turned into a wine cellar, while the 1950s concrete block that held the Defence department’s decompression chamber will become the garage and a gym.
Fermah also plans to build 54 low-cost houses in the adjoining subdivision, Bay Views. Nearly half have been snapped up since they went on the market at the end of last year, with essential workers able to access rebates of up to $40,000.
The developer is also selling new-build homes in the subdivision next to Clark House. Photo / Supplied
An artist’s impression of one of the affordable Bay Views homes. Photo / Supplied
The three-bedroom homes are on OneRoof with Harcourts’ Graham Lewis and Sue Noonan and are priced from $998,000.
“I do not need to be the richest guy on the street. I say to people, ‘Doing good does not have to be exclusive from being financially viable. You can do both’,” Fermah told OneRoof.
Fermah has also relished delving into the history of Clark House, meeting the family and locals who knew the property and sharing photos on a dedicated Facebook page, which has 1400 followers.
“It is quite critical when you’re undertaking a restoration like this to understand what they were trying to do in the first place,” he said.
“It is very well built; there are virtually no cracks. It is an outstanding example of the Italianate style in New Zealand. Putting it back is the best thing for the house.
“I’m excited about this house, and we will be good custodians.”
- 1/25-59 Clark Road, Hobsonville, is for sale, priced from $998,000
