Newlyweds Paul Henry and Diane Foreman are selling their multi-million-dollar beach house.
The luxury four-bedroom "bach" at 9 Karahu Lane, in Omaha, just north of Auckland, is on the market for sale by way of tender, closing October 14.
The house, which Foreman bought in 2011 for $3.9 million, has a 2017 CV of $5.2 million.
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Foreman, who founded the Emerald Group, recently restyled the home but it is broadcaster Henry who is at the front of the sales push. In a video accompanying the listing on OneRoof, the broadcaster describes the house as a "humble little" bach by one of the best beaches in the world.
"You could be in Beverly Hills. I've seen so many people walk in here for the first time and be blown away. You never realise just how special it's going to be."
Henry says the couple are selling up because they wish to spend more time on the water: "We've got far too many houses in far too many lovely locations," he says in the video.
Paul Henry and Diane Foreman. Photo / Supplied
In an interview with OneRoof, Foreman said the bach was her "dream house". It was built by fashion designer Trelise Copper and her husband Jack Cooper, who sold up so they could spend more time in France.
"I saw it was for sale in the Herald, went up and bought it that same day," she said.
"It's very much Trelise and Jack's style. I even bought the furnishings. They had gone to France and sourced the 300-year-old oak floors from an old chateau that was being demolished. Those floors are such a great platform for the house."
She added: "It was a great family 'bach' if you could use that word. We had the best times - it's been a great house."
The stylish entertainer's kitchen. Photo / Supplied
One the spacious bedrooms. Photo / Supplied
Henry and Foreman, who also own homes in Auckland's Remuera, the United States and London, married earlier this year and had Henry been abroad in the United States at the height of the Covid-19 crisis, writing his next book.
He returned to New Zealand last month and spent two weeks in managed isolation at the Sudima hotel at Auckland Airport.
The entrance to the house makes an impression. Photo / Supplied
Foreman said they had found they were not spending enough time at the beach house. "Paul says it needs the heartbeats of lots of people, so that's why we're selling. Paul's lovely large boat is a perfect solution to be on the water," she said.
The property, which is being marketed for sale by Precision Real Estate agent Di Balich, sits on 848sqm of land right on the beach front and has a Mediterranean vibe. In addition to the 300-year-old flooring, the entrance features 300-year-old barn doors from Spain.
It also boasts a heated pool and spa, a library and entertainer's gourmet kitchen.
Foreman worked with interior designer James Doole to restyle the house. They replaced the furniture, removed the shutters (they're safely stored for the next owners), upgraded to brand new appliances and honed the marble in kitchen and bathroom.
"It was so ahead of its time - the kitchen, the bathrooms - and has stood the test of time well," she said.
"Trelise's design had the beautiful bones, but we've got a more tailored look. We took down the shutters because Paul and I love to look at the sea."
Balich of Precision Real Estate said she expected the house to break the Omaha records. A property on 7 Paraone Place reportedly sold in February for $7.25 million and one at 65 Taumata Road changed hands in March 2019 for $7.225 million. "This eclipses both of those," she said.
- Additional reporting Daria Kuprienko
