$30m Remuera mansion can be rented for $6k a week

Wednesday, 5 June 2024

This Binney-designed mansion at 542 Remuera Rd in Auckland is owned by a Chinese businessman and available to rent for $6000 a week.

It has been described as “arguably Remuera’s grandest house”, and, at $6000 a week, this mansion is believed to be the most expensive residential rental on the market. Move-in costs of four weeks’ rent and two weeks’ rent in advance will set you back $36,000.

The property at 542 Remuera Rd was last sold by richlisters Simon and Paula Herbert in 2018 for $25.5 million. It now has an RV of $30 million, and is currently owned by a Chinese businessman. It has been rented in recent years.

A brick cloister creates the perfect outdoor entertaining area.

The house was designed by leading architect Roy Keith Binney (1886-1957), in the Lutyens style. The first owner was Amy Maria Hellaby. Another former owner was richlister David Richwhite, who enlarged the house considerably.

There’s a black and white palette though the family living areas.

The formal dining room has a soaring, double-height ceiling.

There are five bedrooms and five bathrooms, plus a guest suite with its own lounge and entry.

The property, which will shortly appear as “the headquarters” in the new TVNZ show My Dream Green Home, spreads over 834m². Not surprisingly, you get a lot for your money, including one of the most beautifully landscaped properties in the city. And the rent includes garden and pool maintenance.

Special features include a heated swimming pool, tennis court, dance studio, sauna, sun bed, separate bar and games room. There’s also a separate guest suite with its own lounge, kitchen and garage with internal access.

A dream by the late rich-listed Chloe Wright, The French Country House is modelled on a traditional European chateau, and has been used for luxury accommodation.

The main house has a designer kitchen, open-plan living area, beautiful formal dining room with soaring, double-height ceiling, five bedrooms and five bathrooms. And there are terraces for outdoor living that step down the north-facing site, maximising great sea views. There are also balconies off bedrooms on the upper level.

The property has been listed (unfurnished) with Anna Zhou of Bayleys Property Management Auckland, a specialist in high-end residential rentals.

Will Alexander, Auckland director of Bayleys Residential Property Management says it’s a very specialised market. “It’s a lot of money, and the first thing I thought was why would you not just buy something? You could service the mortgage on a very nice property at that rate.

Garden and pool maintenance is included in the rental price.

The games room and bar are further attractions.

‘It’s a very, very small target market’

Creepers cover the fences surrounding the heated pool.

“But there is a market for these rental properties. We have a lot of interest from the American consulate, for example. They often rent very high-end properties for diplomats and government officials.

“Often there are people who are moving to New Zealand, who are very wealthy, but not yet ready to buy. It’s a very, very small target market, and you’ve got to get the timing right. Everything needs to be aligned.”

Alexander says such rentals also appeal to very private people. “This house has recently been rented to a very prominent property developer within New Zealand. We often have to sign NDA or privacy agreements to not disclose information.

“Sometimes, these properties are rented to people who are ‘between properties’. They may be doing a massive renovation or a huge new build.”

Alexander says tenants are typically used to contractors coming and going for a considerable time - gardeners are at the property for long hours, and there are usually cleaners.

“Many of these properties never come to the rental market. It happens behind the scenes. For example, we recently found a high-end rental for a prominent basketball player and his family who have come to New Zealand.

“But I believe this house is the most expensive long-term rental we have had, although we do get higher rents for short-term rentals, such as during the America’s Cup.”