- An iconic hilltop castle in Wellington, once a luxury dog daycare, sold for $3.2 million.
- The property, transformed by Brian Willman, includes a medieval castle with extensive features.
- Woofington’s, the luxury dog hotel, operated for six years before closing in 2021.
An iconic hilltop castle that was once a luxury doggy daycare for Wellington's spoiled canines has sold for $3.2 million - below its RV of $3.68m.
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The distinctive yellow chateau on Hawkins Hill Road, in Brooklyn, had been on the market for sale since March this year, with hopes of reeling in a $4m buyer.
Wellington developer and financier Brian Willman paid over $240,000 for the property in the late 1990s.
The listing agent told OneRoof earlier this year that the castle could be turned into an ambassadorial residence. Photo / Supplied
Back then, the main building was just a large concrete compound, having started life as a radar bunker for Airways Corporation.
Willman turned the bunker into a medieval castle, from which he ran several businesses, including a boutique lodge for lawyers and bankers and later Woofington’s, a luxury hotel for dogs.
Woofington’s ran for six years before closing in 2021.
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New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty agent Glenn Jones was unable to comment on the sale, but told OneRoof earlier this year that the property offered buyers plenty of scope, and could be turned into a corporate retreat, a wellness centre or even a residence for an ambassador.
“It’s ideal for hosting large parties.”
The property had been a labour of love for Willman, he said. “It’s often called Castle in the Clouds because it’s right up there above it all.”
The castle looks out over the capital city and toward Cook Strait. Photo / Supplied
The 900sqm castle, which sits on a 4028sqm section, is made from solid blocks and its impressive features include iron chandeliers, timber beams and vaulted ceilings.
An open-plan function space can be found on the upper floor, while the downstairs area houses four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a formal lounge with a woodfire, a billiards room, a workshop, a gym, and a spacious studio.
The New Zealand Herald reported that Woofington’s was raided by armed police in 2019, with officers later “charging a man after discovering an improvised explosive device”.
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