A stylish Auckland home owned by former Block NZ judge Shelley Ferguson sold under the hammer last night for more than $2 million - well above its 2017 CV.
The five-bedroom property at 41 Maritime Terrace on Auckland's North Shore, boasts the top of the line fit-out you'd expect from one of New Zealand's best-known designers.
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There was strong competition for the Birkenhead Point home, with the auction brought forward from September 23 after a compelling offer.
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Ray White chief operating officer Daniel Coulson, who called the auction, said it came down to two bidders in the end, with the winner securing the property for $2.258 million.
"It was a good property so the fact there was strong competition wasn't a surprise."
Ray White agents Heather Walton and Rachael Bridger, who marketed the home, said in their listing ad that living in a interior designer's home "means you get to relax and enjoy someone else's hard work and fabulous style".
Bridger said that the campaign had attracted huge interest, with more than 80 groups inspecting the home.
While some of them were fans of Ferguson's work, Bridger said a large proportion were local buyers or Aucklanders locking to move to the Shore from inner-city suburbs.
"They know they can get a lot of bang for their dollars over this side," she said.
The new owners were a family from St Heliers. "They wanted the city views. They don't know Birkenhead Point at all, but will love living here."
Walton said Shelley was thrilled to see her home go to another lovely family. "Two couples had a robust battle [for the home]. Auctions are still proving to be the right way to sell a home in this market."
Originally built in 1970s, the house was bought four years ago by Ferguson and her husband Steven, a four-time Olympian.
Ferguson is known to Kiwis as a judge on The Block NZ. Photo / Supplied
It has three bedrooms, a playroom and a study room downstairs with another two bedrooms, two bathrooms and large living space upstairs. The kitchen has a scullery, a quartz benchtop and top views of Auckland city and the harbour.
On her Instagram page, Ferguson said listing the property was a "tough call" but her family wanted more financial flexibility.
The view from the house takes in the Harbour Bridge. Photo / Supplied
"We’re thinking a smaller mortgage, a couple of little ‘fun funds’ for local travel, more weekends away, experiences with our boys and besties. It was a great exercise for us to think about our little ‘pie’ over the last few months and different ways we can cut it up to suit our priorities."
She told Stuff.co.nz that she and her husband had bought another house, which she plans to renovate.
Ferguson's most recent renovation project - a bungalow at 11 Walmsley Road in St Heliers - sold under the hammer last month for $1.85 million. The house, which she did up with friend Nicky Richardson, was bought in November 2019 for $1.27 million.
Ferguson's do-up project in St Heliers sold for $1.85 million in August. Photo / Supplied
