– A villa owned by former diplomat John Collinge sold for over $7m to a young family.
– The auction saw intense bidding, starting at $6m and concluding after 20 minutes and 11 bids.
– The 1890s villa features seven bedrooms, two guest houses, and was restored by Collinge since 1982.
A stately villa owned by one of New Zealand’s top diplomats was snapped up by a young family last month for just over $7 million – $400,000 above its RV.
Barfoot & Thompson listing agent Jill Jackson told OneRoof that she had given 30 qualified buyers a tour of the seven-bedroom property on London Street, in Auckland’s St Marys Bay, ahead of the auction.
The auction itself was a “battle”, she said.
Bidding kicked off at $6m, with two buyers going head-to-head over 20 minutes. After three pauses for negotiations, the property was declared on the market at $6.945m. It took three more minutes and 11 more bids – mostly in increments of $5000 – before the hammer came down.
The stately 1890s seven-bedroom property had a gentle makeover to make the most of the vendor’s art collection. Photo / Supplied
As a nod to the vendor’s London connections, the front door was painted in Downing Street black. Photo / Supplied
“I said to the buyers, ‘I think you’re going to own this until you’re 80’, and they said, ‘We think so too’. It’s a forever home,” Jackson said. “You could add value there, and never over-capitalise.”
The two-storey 1890s villa, which comes with two guest houses, had attracted a lot of attention, the agent said.
“People were considering it for multi-generational living, and one high-profile group looked at it for a retirement facility.”
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The property was the home of John Collinge, now 86, for 43 years. Collinge was the National Party president from 1989 to 1994 and was New Zealand’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1994 to 1997.
Jackson said she worked with the family for three months before bringing the house to market.
A new slate roof was added, and the interiors were given a new lick of paint. Designer Anthea Baker, of Hannah Hart, was also called upon to help present Collinge’s collection of artworks and antiques.
The 322sqm home has two guest houses that were carefully designed to complement the original architecture. Photo / Supplied
Staging was carefully planned to complement the vendor’s taste. Photo / Supplied
“The finishing touch was to paint the front door with beautiful shiny black paint and add a number 10 so it looks like that other famous Number 10 in London,” Jackson said.
Collinge’s daughter told OneRoof that when her dad bought the house, it was in a poor state. “It was in four different flats and was very run-down when dad bought it in 1982. He has done a lovely job restoring it to its former glory, improving it with utmost sympathy for the original aesthetic of the property.
“Dad has always been very particular about how it looks from the street and mindful of balance in the design.”
The property has five character fireplaces, original stained glass and leadlight windows, and the grand carved staircase. There are multiple living rooms, a library, and the guest houses each have ensuite bathrooms and kitchenettes.
Collinge sold the house to downsize, his daughter said.