The house in Herne Bay, is believed to have appealed to the Barkers because it has room for a tennis court. Photo / Norrie Mongomery
Dean and Mandy Barker have a new multimillion-dollar project when they return from the America's Cup.
The couple are understood to have bought a new home on one of Auckland's most desirable streets in Herne Bay.
The house is right next door to their previous home - but further away from Oracle skipper Jimmy Spithill's place on the same street.
The Barkers sold their sprawling Herne Bay villa in April for $5.8 million.
The Herald on Sunday understands they bought the house next door a week earlier.
The new property was purchased with privacy - and a tennis court - in mind.
"Their last house was absolutely beautiful but it is right on the road front so there was very little privacy," a real estate agent said.
"This property has a lot of land and is tucked away so it is very private.
"I understand they were looking for a property with enough land for a tennis court."
The new property includes a 1950s three-bedroom, two-storey house on 2167sq m of land - more than twice the land size of their previous address. It is not known if they plan to renovate or remove the 174sq m house.
The property was bought by Fairway Group Ltd on April 2 for $4.1 million. The director of Fairway Group is Wayne Derek Anderson, the Barkers' accountant.
Anderson would not comment on the purchase.
Bayly has released a statement shortly before midday.