Rock stars, diplomats, business tycoons, sporting icons ... the clientele at Greenmantle Estate luxury lodge on the Kapiti Coast over the years has included the very rich and the rather famous.
Owner Ralph Green is an ex-journalist who’d love to share the stories of some of the fascinating folk who’ve stayed at the stunning Paraparaumu property, which is now for sale. But discretion is key when you’re in the upmarket hospitality business, so their details will remain under wraps.
However, Green will happily talk about one celebrity guest because it was before his tenure, and the story is already out there.
“Tiger Woods stayed when he played in the New Zealand Open and let everyone know he was here,” recounts Green.
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“The place was locked up tight with protection officers and police because it was just after September 11 and there was scuttlebutt about a potential attack on an American icon, and he was seen in that light.
The dining room features a double-height ceiling, massive candelabra and striking curved windows. Photo / Supplied
“He had a chef making special dishes from a sports-based diet but he got fed up with that. One night he went out with an armed escort and bought food for everyone from the local McDonald’s drive-through. He joked, ‘It’s my night to cook’. Apparently he was quite affable.”
Most guests have preferred to keep a low profile and enjoy the amenities Greenmantle has to offer.
Originally known as The Pink House, the home was given an extensive makeover in the late 90s which won the architect an award. Photo / Supplied
Along with the gracious European-inspired house, the property includes a heated swimming pool, a heli-pad, beautiful established gardens, and its very own virgin nikau forest.
A hot tub nestled in among the iconic trees – which are around 300-400 years old – has proved popular with visitors.
Green, his wife Letizia Columbano and their son Lorenzo bought Greenmantle Estate in 2012. Green, who grew up in the area, had coveted the local landmark for years and just half an hour after arriving to view it, snapped it up.
“How often do you get to own a house like this, with its own nikau forest?” he says. “The fact that it allowed an income and would eventually pay for itself helped to convince us to buy.”
This hot tub nestled in among nikau trees has proved popular with visitors to Greenmantle Estate. Photo / Supplied
While it has a great reputation as luxury accommodation, it would also be perfect as a family home on a grand scale.
There are six bedroom suites, including two in a separate pavilion overlooking the pool. As well as two lounges and an informal living area, there’s also a boardroom that would make a great children’s playroom, teenage retreat or games room.
The dining room features a double-height ceiling, massive candelabra and striking curved windows. Add to that a gym, wine cellar, office and “ladies’ writing room” and there is a space for everyone.
Originally built in the early 1940s for renowned Wellington photographer Marie Dean, and known as The Pink House, the home was given an extensive makeover in the late 90s, exploding it in size from around 180sqm to 814sqm.
There are six bedroom suites, including this one called the Pohutukawa Suite. Photo / Supplied
Architect Don Nelson won an award for the renovation.
“You have to look very carefully to know the difference between what has been added and what hasn’t,” says Green, who with Columbano has kept the home immaculately maintained.
They are selling to move to Venice to be close to their new grand-daughter Penelope. They’ll miss the tranquility of the home, the beautiful views of the ocean and Kapiti Island, the fabulous birdlife and the convenience of being a 45-minute drive to central Wellington.
“It’s going to be very hard to leave but family is our priority,” Green says.
Greenmantle Estate would also be perfect as a family home on a grand scale. Photo / Supplied
Agent Sharon Vodanovich of NZ Sotheby’s International Realty says this is a rare opportunity to buy a truly stunning home in a beautiful location that is so close to Wellington – and driving time will be even shorter once Transmission Gully is open.
“While it has been boutique accommodation more recently, it would also be a fantastic family home.”
Vodanovich along with colleague Nicola Fisher are marketing the property.
Greenmantle Estate on 214 Main Road North in Paraparaumu on the Kapiti Coast is selling via tender which closes on December 9.
