Some of Wellington’s most expensive and impressive homes are currently for sale, outdoing each other for the most dazzling harbour views, rich heritage character and state-of-the-art luxury.
Sharalyn Fraser, owner of Sharalyn Fraser Agency, says it’s interesting times at the top end at the moment, however.
“We’re still selling lots, there are definitely active buyers out there at different price points, but that top end is a little slower at the moment,” she says.
“We’re just coming out the other side of a period of uncertainty, which can sometimes cause people to pause. I often find that when people get more certainty about what’s happening, whether that’s good or bad, they are in a position to start making decisions again.”
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Ben Atwill, from Bayleys, concurs that while the top end of market has been on the quieter side, they have had some major recent sales that have put eyes back on Wellington.
“Pikarere Farm pulled a huge amount of expat interest and (3-5) Maida Vale Road also had a lot of international and national interest. For Pikarere Farm, we had multiple tenders in and a very strong, four-week international campaign.”
It was eventually purchased by iwi Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, as reported by Te Ao Maori News, and although the sale price has not been disclosed, the RV was $10m.
34 Lookout Road, in Roseneath, is an architectural landmark designed by Novak + Middleton with a $7.25m RV and stunning views. Photo / Supplied
66 Onslow Road, in Khandallah, feels more Paros than Poneke. Photo / Supplied
In that upper bracket and earning its moniker as a “modern castle in the clouds”, a $7.25m architectural landmark home designed by Novak + Middleton is for sale in Roseneath.
34 Lookout Road sits within the hillside and captures grandstand views of Wellington City and harbour. This is a home for those who love to host, complete with a lift, a full wine fridge, a wet bar, a theatre area, spa pool and rotating car turntable. Guests are also catered to with a self-contained suite on the lower level.
New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty agent Elise Boulieris told OneRoof that the home was one of the capital’s best. It was initially conceived as two separate apartments, but when it caught the eye of the vendors, the architects then spent a year reconfiguring the building as a single dwelling.
“It is now a lovely integrated family home. The lovely thing about it is it has a lift shaft that goes right through the middle, so you can completely bypass one or more floors.”
Another statement home is for sale in Khandallah, where its chic, Mediterranean-style and glittering blue sea backdrop feels more Paros than Poneke.
66 Onslow Road is known as Middle Harbour and showcases 180-degree views, and Wayne Kemp from NZ Sotheby’s says it’s a standout in the market.
“When you’re driving along the motorway, you look up and you see it there. It’s right in front of you, really. Wellington is sometimes referred to on a good day as the Mediterranean of the South Pacific, so it gives you that feel when you walk into it because it’s got the big feature glazed atrium and that creates a lot of warmth when you walk in.”
As well as luxury living, wellness is front of mind here, with an indoor pool, sauna, gymnasium, massage room and even a rock-climbing wall.
2 Otaihanga Road, in Paraparaumu, is a 1.46ha lifestyle block for sale by tender, closing July 8. Photo / Supplied
With buyer inquiry over $5.95m, the former nunnery and boarding house at 48 Aurora Terrace, in Kelburn, offers serious development opportunity. Photo / Supplied
Up in Paraparaumu, the house that beer bought is also up for grabs. The 1.46ha lifestyle block at 2 Otaihanga Road is the home of Mike and Anna Neilsen, who created Panhead craft beer and sold it to Lion Breweries in 2016 for a reported $15m.
The Neilsens have said the 595sqm modern lodge-style house has been a dream for family living, thanks to its huge, open-plan kitchen, media room, primary suite with fireplace, 14m pool and outdoor entertaining area with new pizza oven and Brazilian-style asado barbecue.
“This is an amazing property. Properties of this calibre are rarely offered in the Kapiti market,” Property Brokers listing agent Rebecca Noble told OneRoof.
“The uniqueness of the scale, the quality, the privacy, the location. There have been no recent sales that could compare. [It] is something we don’t see come to market very often.”
The tender closes on July 8 and Noble said the $4.8m RV was “a reference point”.
With buyer inquiry over $5.95m, the former nunnery at 48 Aurora Terrace presents serious opportunity for a new incarnation at the heart of Wellington CBD.
It was originally a base for the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary and was turned into a boarding house once they left.
Raine & Horne agent Paul Dickason, who is marketing the property with Nick Eagle, said the listing was “magical”.
“Nick and I are very proud and very privileged to be representing the owner, but I would also say the property as well. It is a genuinely and truly unique property,” he told OneRoof. “I would say it’s about 110m from The Terrace and I would be surprised if it’s more than 500m from the Beehive.”
The flat 2315sqm site is zoned high-density residential with a 22m height control. The agents’ listing said that buyers could replace the former nunnery with a multi-unit townhouse development or large apartment block, or they could modernise the existing buildings.
43 Kohekohe Road is a beautiful home in Waikanae welcoming buyer enquiry over $3.6m. Photo / Supplied
21 Seaview Terrace, in Northland, is inviting buyer enquiry over $2.95m. Photo / Supplied
Dubbed Roseneath, a beautiful Waikanae home is welcoming buyer enquiry over $3.6m.
Agent Sharalyn Fraser says 43 Kohekohe Road is an amazing property with a rich history and enticing versatility.
“Everything has been done so well, right from when it was very first built. It was originally built as a home for single mums to raise their babies. Because it has five bedrooms and five bathrooms, a massive new kitchen and ginormous laundry, it also lends itself to a boutique retreat.”
Striking in architectural form and with incredible harbour views, 21 Seaview Terrace in Northland is inviting buyer enquiry over $2.95m.
Newly completed and conceived by Parsonson Architects, the four-bedroom, two-bathroom home sits within the landscape and has been heavily engineered to be robust in its elevated setting.
A residential lift connects the car deck to the main levels and in his listing Ben Atwill says the professionally landscaped property brings together much of what makes Northland sought after.
“Sun, outlook, proximity and calm. All the hard work has already done!”
Wilton House is a gracious seven-bedroom, five-bathroom residence enveloped within 3837sqm of park-like grounds on the edge of Otari Wilton’s Bush. Photo / Supplied
Atwill is also selling Wilton House, a gracious seven-bedroom, five-bathroom residence enveloped within 3837sqm of park-like grounds on the edge of Otari Wilton’s Bush. It’s priced by negotiation, with an RV of $2.79m.
The 540sqm home sprawls across three levels and offers generous space for family living, as well as a private apartment for relatives or guests.
Although the grand estate feels like a private retreat, Atwill says in his listing that Parliament, the CBD, Thorndon, Kelburn and the western suburbs remain only minutes away.
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