PHOTO: Paul Henry. NZHERALD
Broadcaster Paul Henry is selling his grand Remuera mansion, explaining that he and his wife, Diane Foreman, realized it was “just a touch too big” when they found themselves needing to phone each other from opposite ends of the house.
Speaking to the Herald, Henry admitted there were rooms in the house he had barely used, often preferring to relax in the TV room. Now, he’s ready to pass the home to someone else, but he warns, “you’re going to have to be rich” to afford “the most beautiful home.”
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In a video recorded inside the Arney Crescent property, Henry, with a glass of wine in hand, shared why he decided to part with “quite possibly the best home in the country.” However, he emphasized that the house is “not a trophy” and hoped it wouldn’t be purchased simply for its grandeur. “It’s a magnificent home that deserves a family and people who love to entertain,” he said.
Henry and Foreman plan to downsize and find a more compact home in central Auckland, but they’re in no rush, given that they own several other properties. Still, Henry didn’t hold back about the type of buyer the mansion demands: “I’ll cut to the chase – you’re going to have to be rich. It’s fabulously expensive.”
The home’s capital value was estimated at $11 million in June 2021, with the land alone valued at $8.3 million. Henry also cautioned prospective buyers that this property isn’t for those seeking something compact or low-maintenance. “For someone who wants a home in the top 0.3% in the country, this half-acre in Remuera might be for you,” he added.
Paul Henry and wife Diane Foreman are selling their home at 33 Arney Crescent in Remuera, Auckland.
The Barfoot & Thompson listing for 33 Arney Crescent highlights its impressive features, describing the residence as an “iconic Georgian” estate with six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, four lounges, an office, a four-car garage, and a pool. The listing boasts of craftsmanship evident throughout the home, including its grand entrance hall, intricate plasterwork, and soaring ceilings.
Other amenities include a grand library, a gym, a custom wine cellar, and separate staff quarters or guest house. Estate agent James Doole described the master suite as “a sanctuary offering five-star luxury,” adding that the property represents “a generational legacy.”
Diane Foreman, a well-known renovator who has restored over 50 homes across New Zealand, Australia, and London, designed the interiors, while acclaimed Australian garden designer Paul Bangay landscaped the gardens. Henry noted, “The space my wife created for us is the most beautiful of them all.”
SOURCE: NZHERALD