KEY POINTS:
A palatial mansion on one of New Zealand's most expensive streets may not be enough for multi-millionaire property developer Jimmy Kirkpatrick.
Not content with lavishing millions of dollars on upgrading the iconic "wedding cake house" at 90 Paritai Drive for his wife Gilda, 76-year-old Kirkpatrick is rumoured to have bought the house next door, number 92, for an estimated $10 million. Only a road, Tuhaere St, separates the two houses.
But secrecy surrounds the sale.
Real estate agent Leila MacDonald, who sold number 92, refused to answer the Herald on Sunday's questions.
Kirkpatrick is a fan of Auckland's most wealthy street. He also owns number five, but that has been on the market for more than two years. In all, he's rumoured to have owned up to eight houses on Paritai Drive. His first wife Christine lives up the road.
The soon-to-be complete multi-million-dollar refurbishment of number 90, bought by Kirkpatrick for $9 million in 2004, is under Gilda's supervision and includes completely new decor, fencing and paving. The house measures 3600 sq m and has had a pool.
Gilda went to Iran and brought container loads of marble, floorboards, Iranian fittings and antiques back for the project.
Why the Kirkpatricks may have wanted the house's near neighbour is not known, although speculation in the street is that it may be for a lavish guest house.
"He might build a tunnel between them," said a neighbour.
