KEY POINTS:
A large Herne Bay property at Sentinel Pt has changed hands for $8.1 million in what is thought to be a record price for a section.
Auckland surgeon John Dunn and his wife, Rose, paid the sum for almost half a hectare at 64 Sentinel Rd.
The clifftop plot is surrounded by water on three sides but is only about five minutes' drive from the city centre.
Some years ago, a house was built on the site but that has become derelict and has not been lived in for some time. In 2001, Mansons Associates - part of the group that developed the Lumley Tower in Shortland St - bought the section and land behind it.
They developed a group of luxury townhouses on the back of the site and sold the front section later.
They marketed the houses as "life's ultimate reward".
The Dunns bought the land in the past few weeks and are expected to develop a substantial house there.
Mr Dunn was reluctant to discuss the purchase but said he wanted to greatly improve the area. "This will be great for the neighbourhood."
Fiona Mackenzie and Martin Dobson of Kellands Real Estate sold the property.
Fearon Hay Architects, which is expected to work on plans for the site, won a New Zealand Institute of Architects award for work on the couple's former home in Arney Rd, Remuera.
