Auckland’s iconic Gothic Castle needs ‘a visionary’

It is the city’s most beautiful historic building, but the listed property in Epsom has been unsold since November 2021.

Ray White Epsom’s Cherie Barker says the Castle Drive property is attracting interest, and has been in a number of deals, but buyers have yet to move on.

“The building needs to be earthquake-proofed – funds must be spent before 2053,” he says. “It’s a very desirable property, but it’s just a matter of finding the right buyer, someone who knows what they’re doing and would like to turn it into a wonderful home with a back porch.”

The property was purchased in 2016 by AP Family Trustee Limited, with director-shareholder Pauline Pau Lin Voon and partner Toh Ing Hii, for $4.65 million. It has become a money-making place for the owners – there are seven rooms and 14 bedrooms that are continuously rented and give about $175,000 a year.

The current RV is $5.6 million, with Homes.co.nz estimating it at $5.12 million, down from $7.13m at the end of 2021.

“The market in the last 18 months has not been very helpful,” Barker said. “But buyers are starting to have more confidence, and interest rates seem to be decreasing. We believe that we will find a buyer in the next street. We believe, our buyer will be close. But we need to find someone who has the right vision here.”

The house was built on Mt Eden for concrete baron Josiah Clifton Firth in the 1870s, hence the name Clifton. But the beautiful Carpenter Gothic building on the site was built by John Ogilvie in 1868, who quickly leased it to Firth, who bought the property in 1871. The concrete structures (built for Firth) came later, in 1873.

It’s a castle that generations of locals have grown up in – although few have lived in it. There is a tower with a battlemented rampart, and impressive Gothic battlements. And a spectacular location on the side of Auckland’s highest volcano on the island.

The property is Grade 1 listed, which means it is owner-occupied. Heritage New Zealand says it is believed to be the earliest concrete building to have existed in the North Island, and the earliest example of Gothic Revival concrete architecture in New Zealand.

It is also important for his association with Mother Mary Joseph Aubert (1835-1926), the first person in New Zealand to be canonized by the Catholic Church.

Heritage New Zealand says Mother Mary Joseph Aubert, founder of Wellington’s Catholic organization, the Sisters of Compassion, found the property in 1911. She opened the building as St Vincent’s Home of Mercy, caring for orphans and married, or illegitimate, babies.

In 1924 the building was sold and converted into a block of flats, and has been in residential use ever since.

Barker’s list also makes special mention of sweeping, paved areas, uncovered parking lots, and the placement of large grammar schools.