- Sir Edmund Hillary’s former Remuera site is for sale, 16 years after his house was moved.
- The 1700sqm land has an RV of $8.6m and offers prime residential potential.
- The property features privacy, views, and proximity to premium schools and Remuera Village amenities.
Sir Edmund Hillary’s former address on the northern slopes of Auckland’s Remuera Road is for sale, 16 years after his house was shifted from the site to the Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate in Otara.
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The site at 278A Remuera Road comprises over 1700sqm of land and is where the Mt Everest-conquering mountaineer built his house and raised his family.
When the house was sold in 2009, following Sir Ed’s death the year before, it was bought by his neighbour, Terry Jarvis, for $1.9 million, just under its then RV.
There was initial concern that Sir Ed’s modest home, which was surrounded by multimillion-dollar mansions, would be demolished, but Jarvis, the co-founder of Sky Television and a former New Zealand cricketer, moved it off the site and gifted it to Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate.
Sir Edmund, left, and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay after their ascent of Mount Everest in 1953. Photo / Royal Geographical Society
The land at 278A Remuera Road sits among lavish mansions and near the elite King’s School. It has an RV of $8.6m. Photo / Supplied
The view is one of the suburb’s best. The listing agent says it might be suitable for purchase by foreign buyers with an Active Investor Plus visa. Photo / Supplied
Now, the land has an RV of $8.6m and is on the market with New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty agent Marina Greatbatch.
She told OneRoof that the prime residential land was on a beautiful north-facing ridge with views, privacy and a very special providence. “It’s just a beautiful, private oasis right in central Remuera on the ridgeline,” she said.
“It’s very natural. Obviously, there’s the original building platform but the trees are wonderful. It’s a stunning spot.”
Her listing describes “an extraordinary and rare offering on the northern slopes of Remuera Road: an expansive 1700sqm (approx) prime residential section with a distinguished provenance, originally owned and developed by Sir Edmund Hillary”.
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“This is a unique parcel of land that combines historical pedigree with modern potential – a large canvas in one of Auckland’s most coveted neighbourhoods.”
The property was positioned down a long driveway on a secluded, sun-drenched site with elevated outlooks across mature treetops to Rangitoto Island. “Seasonal light and a sheltered setting provide natural screening and a private oasis,” the listing said.
“The topography and aspect allow for considered architectural planning to maximise views, indoor-outdoor flow and northern sun.
“With wide frontage and generous depth, the section provides opportunities for creative site planning, multiple living zones, terraced gardens and private courtyards.”
The area offers premium schooling options – it is situated on King’s School boundary fence and in zone for Remuera Primary and double grammar schools – and is metres from the cafés and restaurants of Remuera Village.
Sky TV co-founder and former NZ cricketer Terry Jarvis outside Sir Edmund’s home in 2009. He bought the property at auction for $1.9m. The modest house was next door Jarvis’ modern mansion. Photo / Janna Dixon
Real estate agent Graham Wall shakes the hand of Bayleys real estate agent David Rainbow, after his successful bid on behalf of Jarvis. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey
The listing also noted that the property may be suitable for foreign buyers with an Active Investor Plus visa, although that does not constitute confirmation of eligibility, approval or suitability for any individual buyer, and the listing said people must obtain independent legal, financial and technical advice.
Sir Edmund gained fame on the global stage in 1953 when he and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were the first to climb the summit of Mt Everest.
A New Zealand Herald news report from 2009 told how the mountaineer built his house in Remuera for his family and that it was his private sanctuary for 50 years.
“Sir Edmund and Lady Hillary’s neighbour, multimillionaire and former New Zealand cricketer Terry Jarvis, bought the property for $1.9 million with a view to extending his grounds, but many New Zealanders baulked at the idea that Sir Edmund’s home might be demolished.”
Sir Edmund’s former house at 278A Remuera Road is the modest residence to the left of the light blue swimming pool. Photo / Janna Dixon
Peter Hillary with his old family home in Otara. The house, now called Hillary House Leadership Centre, still holds special memories for him. Photo / Greg Bowker
The story reported Jarvis as saying he had several applications from individuals and organisations willing to take the house, and that he had gifted it to Sir Edmund’s namesake school in Otara.
“The low-decile school with a multi-racial student population will use the house as a leadership centre, replicating the fittings and layout of Sir Edmund’s study,” the story said.
“Sir Edmund built the house in 1956, three years after he climbed Mt Everest. He and his first wife, Louise, raised their three children there, and planned Sir Edmund’s expeditions and charity work. It became a refuge for Sir Edmund after Louise and daughter Belinda died in a plane crash in 1975, a place where he began a new phase of his life with second wife Lady June, and a much-loved grandfather’s house.”
The story said the land had originally belonged to Louise’s parents, Jim and Phyllis Rose, and that when Louise married Sir Ed, they subdivided off part of the section for the newlyweds to build a house.
About five minutes away, on Basset Road, another large, empty section is up for grabs.
Sotheby’s listing agent Margaret Bao said the 1034sqm vacant site presented a blank canvas on one of Remuera’s most tightly-held streets. “Opportunities of this nature are incredibly rare, particularly in such a well-positioned setting,” she said.
“Near-level with a gentle contour, the land has a valuable north-facing aspect along its wider boundary, paired with an expansive street frontage.”
The site has views across Hobson Bay to Rangitoto Island, and also toward the city.
“A future residence would further elevate these outlooks from upper levels, capturing even more panoramic views.”
- 278A Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland, is for sale by negotiation
