- Three neighbouring mansions in Whitford are for sale, with a combined RV of nearly $25m.
- The properties include a six-bedroom mansion with antique tractors and a luxury home with a helicopter pad.
- The suburb is attracting overseas interest, partly due to relaxed foreign buyer rules for homes over $5m.
Three neighbouring mansions are up for grabs in one of Auckland’s most expensive suburbs.
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The three trophy homes have a combined RV of nearly $25 million and sit on over 36ha of land.
The sprawling estate at 48 Porterfield Road, in Whitford, is the biggest of the three on offer.
The six-bedroom brick mansion comes with a tractor in the hallway and a 32ha estate overlooking the harbour, out to Waiheke Island.
The brick mansion at 48 Porterfield Road was built retired farmers Bill and Kathie McNabney in 2006. Photo / Supplied
In the hallway is a vintage tractor restored by one of the owners. Photo / Supplied Photo / Supplied
The house was built by farmers Bill and Kathie McNabney in 2006 as their retirement treat. When they bought the site, the only buildings around were an old barn and a derelict cowshed.
Daughter Rachael Locke told OneRoof that her late father collected dozens of antique tractors over his lifetime. He restored the Farmall Cub model that greets visitors to the house while he was recovering from a stroke, she said. It took over a year to bring the tractor up to scratch, and the lifting power of his grown sons to move it to its current home under the stairs.
Locke said her father loved collecting; other treasures accumulated over the years included classic cars and dolls, which he displayed in a private museum on the property.
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The property boasts 20 paddocks extending to the foreshore, and, according to Barfoot & Thompson listing agent Mike Deverell, is a standout in the suburb. “There is nothing like this on Whitford’s prestigious Clifton Peninsula. Most properties in the area are around two to four hectares. You are really buying one-of-a-kind property.”
Kathie added: “It’s beautiful. A farm gate opens out on to the local bridle track and has access for kayaking and beach fun. We can access the property from Porterfield Road, but our driveway is from Clifton Road, taking in the amazing view from the top of the hill.”
The mansion at 42 Porterfield Road is also on the hunt for a new owner. Photo / Supplied
The owner called on American interior designer Barbara Westbrook to overhaul the interior. Photo / Supplied
Next door, at 42 Porterfield Road, is a luxury mansion dubbed “Aspen on steroids” by its creator, renowned US-based interior designer Barbara Westbrook of Westbrook Interiors.
The seven-bedroom holiday home is owned by wealthy American businesswoman Elizabeth Hagans and comes with a guest house, wine cellar, and a helicopter landing area.
Hagans, who has made sizeable investments in several high-profile Kiwi companies and funds, including Ice Angels and Sir Stephen Tindall’s K1W1, told OneRoof earlier this year she was selling up to move closer to her business interests in Wellington.
Another Whitford estate for sale is 287 Clifton Road, which is next door to 48 Porterfield Road. Photo / Supplied
The property boasts a polished finish. Photo / Supplied
Bayleys listing agent Angela Rudling told OneRoof in February that she expected to sell the property for much more than its RV. “We’re marketing it globally with a price expectation of $15m. It is unsurpassed quality construction, with an amazingly private position. It is unique in the outer Auckland area,” she said.
Rudling also has the listing for the property on the other side of 48 Porterfield Road. The mansion up for grabs at 287 Clifton Road sits on a 1.93ha site and comes with a separate cottage.
Rudling told OneRoof this month that most of the listings available in Whitford skewed towards the top of the market.
“The recent surge in high-end properties is driven by two vendors moving overseas: one an offshore owner relocating out of Auckland, and the other a New Zealand resident heading to Australia. It’s just one of those moments where timing has aligned,” she said.
“In Whitford, homes typically turn over every four to 10 years, so now and then you get a few hitting the market at once.”
For buyers, that means a rare opportunity, she said. “There’s a fantastic choice across a very broad price range.”
She said the current buyer pool in Whitford included city dwellers seeking a lifestyle change and wealthy Kiwi expats.
Rudling and colleagues had noticed an uptick in overseas interest since the Government announced it was relaxing the foreign buyer rules for homes worth $5m and above.
“Well, we’ve had several enquiries from America for our high-end properties. We’ve also had interest from China.
“I’ve also had a couple of enquiries from Australia, which is nice because usually everybody from here is heading to Australia at the moment.”
- Click here to find more properties for sale in Whitford
