The property at 205 Church Bay Road, Waiheke Island with a capital valuation of $16m. Photo: Graham Wall Real Estate.
The property at 205 Church Bay Road, Waiheke Island with a capital valuation of $16m. Photo: Graham Wall Real Estate.
Fresh from losing the America's Cup, billionaire Larry Ellison and his syndicate Oracle Team USA look set to want a crack at winning it back.
The Herald on Sunday has learnt that representatives for Ellison - and other syndicates set to contest the Cup in four years - are looking for property in the Auckland area.
The wealthy syndicates have serious money, and want big, luxury properties with sea views of the Hauraki Gulf, where racing may be held.
Team New Zealand snatched back the America's Cup from Ellison's Oracle in Bermuda last month - winning the finals' series in emphatic style 7-1.
Details on Team New Zealand's defence - including how much of the event will be raced in Auckland and type of boats - are still several weeks away from being confirmed, but sources said the likes of Ellison were already looking our way.
"Representatives are sending in briefs on the type of property they would like, and are saying, if it is not on the market now, let us know when it is," a source said.
"Since the cup was won, there has been an influx of interest from a lot of people - both fans of sailing and those associated with syndicates."
The Herald on Sunday spoke to several leading high-end property agents last week.
None would confirm the specific identities of America's Cup figures, or their representatives, who had expressed in possible property purchases.
But Ollie Wall, of Graham Wall Real Estate, said there had been interest from some about properties by the water.
Wall said because its company relied heavily on "security of information" it was unable to give specific names or addresses.
"What I can say is that we have had serious enquiries about Auckland waterfront and Waiheke property by people directly involved with the America's cup since the win," he said.
Wall expected to see a substantial rise in the value of Auckland waterfront property in the years leading up to the cup.
But one thing which could hamper plans was a lack of luxury waterside pads on the market.
"Our issue at the moment is supply of quality stock for the discerning buyer," Wall said.
Larry Ellison, executive chairman and chief technology officer of Oracle. Photo / Getty Images
There had been speculation that one of the city's most expensive pads, a luxury cliffside mansion just off Paritai Drive, was being sought by someone associated with the America's Cup.
The seven-bedroom property, partly financed by former Hanover Finance director Mark Hotchin, sold in 2013 to businessman Deyi Shi for $39m - who is believed to still be living there.
Homes.co.nz property data analysts estimated it could go for as much as $47m, however, there is nothing to suggest the property is on the market.
Homes.co.nz chief marketing officer Jeremy O'Hanlon said some of the nicest coastal Auckland homes were on Cliff Road, in Takapuna.
He said these would give the greatest vantage points of the racing.
"You can comfortably watch the boats go out to race and sink $10m into a luxury residence."
He said other options were also in Waiheke, where it was possible to buy a waterfront home and park your yacht in front for under $5m.
This Waiheke property comes complete with a vineyard that grows an array of grape varieties. Photo: Supplied by Graham Wall Real Estate.
There are a number of luxury pads currently on the market - one at 205 Church Road on Waiheke Island being sold by Graham Wall Real Estate. The large lifestyle block has a capital valuation of $16 million, which Homes.co.nz data analysis indicated could go for as much as $27.9m.
It comes with a 6 acre vineyard that grows syrah, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and pinot gris and a self-contained guest house on the 34 acre land.
The property at 8 Wairangi Herne Bay which has a capital valuation of $11m. Photo: Supplied by Graham Wall Real Estate.
And at 8 Wairangi Street, Herne Bay what Graham Wall Real Estate has marketed as a "extraordinairy" waterfront estate with "forever views and exquisite interior detail".
The property, which has a capital valuation of $11m comes complete with a private beach and pool. Homes.co.nz estimated it could go for as much as $16.025m.
Meanwhile, just north of Auckland on the clifftop at Martins Bay sits a 1039sqm house complete with an large expansive pool looking out over the water.
Homes.co.nz indicated at most, it could go for more than double at $12.34m.
The property at 10 Jackson Crescent comes with a large indoor pool that looks out into the harbour. Photo: Supplied by Graham Wall Real Estate.
While there is interest from some in Auckland property, Michael Boulgaris - of Boulgaris Realty, which specialises in high-end property - was unsure how big an impact the America's Cup would have on the luxury real estate market.
"We are not Monte Carlo, and we don't have Aspen ski-fields," he said.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Panuku Development the Auckand Council-controlled organisation overseeing urban regeneration - said there had been no inquiries from any of the yachting syndicates about leasing its range of waterfront properties.
One of the America's Cup's top commentators, former Kiwi yachtie Peter Lester, also believed syndicates would only seriously be looking at Auckland property - including team bases and possible accommodation options - after the protocols were announced for Team New Zealand's defence.
