Grandeur lent to launch of home entertainment system

Glamour couple Simon and Paula Herbert own this Remuera mansion. Photo / Janna Dixon

A grand home with a rich history of wealthy owners has been recast as a venue to launch a new home entertainment system.

Owned by a string of privacy-conscious rich-listers including David Richwhite and John Sanders, the Remuera mansion is now owned by glamour couple Simon and Paula Herbert.

Jacqui Ansin of PR agency Lily and Louis arranged to hold a function at the house this week by "asking a favour" from the Herberts, who were personal friends.

"It is a beautiful home that we are very lucky to be able to use," Ansin said.

The $13 million sprawling brick house is at the top of a 8000sq m English-style country garden.

The home was designed in 1919 by New Zealand architect Roy Binney for prominent businesswoman Amy Hellaby, of the meat and smallgoods company.

It was part of a divorce dispute between former rich-lister John Sanders and his wife, Yvonne, before the Herberts bought it in January last year.

Property developer Simon Herbert said he and his clothes-designer wife loved their new home: "We are delighted - it's a beautiful property."

The cocktail party would include a guest appearance by Australian DJ Ruby Rose, who makes appearances endorsing LG Electronics. Ansin would not be drawn on the product to be launched but invitations described it as a "revolution in home entertainment".