A luxury Wellington lodge that’s hosted sports stars, musicians, diplomats, and business tycoons is back on the market for sale.
Greenmantle Estate, in Paraparaumu, on the Kapiti Coast, is probably most famous for being Tiger Woods’ Kiwi bolthole.
The golfer stayed at the lodge while he played at the New Zealand Open in 2001 and his life was under threat.
The star’s security was beefed up after a cyanide-laced letter threatening the tournament was delivered to the United States Embassy in Wellington.
Start your property search
The lodge’s former owner told OneRoof several years ago that the lodge was a fortress during Woods’ stay.
“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.”
Discover more:
- 'Lady of the manor' selling the Edwardian dream home that almost killed her
- Panic over Trump? The Americans desperate for a house in New Zealand
- Howzat! Cricket star Sir Richard Hadlee scores with sale of luxury golf course home
The ex-owner added: “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.”
New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty agent Suzette McArtney told OneRoof she only had to say the word “Greenmantle” and locals would instantly know who had stayed there.
The six-bedroom English-style mansion, which sits on 1.89 hectares, was snapped up in 2022 for $4.1 million by current owners Jo and Mark O’Sullivan.
Tiger Woods in 2008 with his then caddie, Kiwi Steve Williams. Woods was in New Zealand in 2001 and stayed at the estate. Photo / Getty Images
The property sits on 1.89ha. Photo / Supplied
The couple were looking for a challenge and saw the opportunity to push their hospitality skills to the max. “We originally started hosting people through our home in Lower Hutt during the 2011 Rugby World Cup,” Mark told OneRoof. “We really enjoyed it and carried on afterwards, so, Greenmantle really was an extension of that.”
When asked if he was able to name some the lodge’s famous guests, Mark replied: “We’ve had everyone from business heads to Hollywood movie stars. It’s been great fun. But we need to keep their identities to ourselves.”
The home has a helipad, although most visitors come by car. “We’ve had a few people ask about the helipad,” Mark said.
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.
Since buying the property the O’Sullivans have added a boardwalk and handrail from the suites to the spa, which sits in the home’s Nikau Forest. The home also has a heated outdoor pool and two cottages.
The dining room features a double-height ceiling, massive candelabra and striking curved windows. Photo / Supplied
This hot tub is nestled among Nikau trees. Photo / Supplied
The property already had multiple income streams when the O’Sullivans bought it, including overnight stays in the luxurious suites, and slightly bemusing to the couple, high teas under a purpose-built marquee.
“The previous owners used to hold high teas on the weekend, and that wasn’t really our thing,” Mark said. “It’s fair to say we’ve spent the last three years telling people we don’t do high teas.”
Mark, who is an accountant, said they bought Greenmantle as a passion project, rather than a full-time business. “We always intended to run this property as a hobby rather than a full-on business.”
Although the couple drew a line at high teas, they have expanded the property’s wedding business, holding about 12 per year – an income stream the next buyers could capitalise on.
The home also has a board room, although currently the table is packed away because the O’Sullivans use the room as a lounge. With four children aged between 12 and 21, they need to have somewhere to let their hair down.
There are six bedroom suites, including this one called the Pohutukawa Suite. Photo / Supplied
The O’Sullivans bought the property with an extended chattels list, which meant they could hit the ground running with a fully furnished business. Much of the furniture they purchased with the home is Victorian and Edwardian style, but there is a Chinese writing desk. The garden has Japanese elements with some of the planting, said Mark. The chattels are available for sale.
The family is selling because two of the children are going off to university and Mark and Jo would like to do more travel.
McArtney said the property sits on two titles, one of which is largely a native Nikau forest. “It is beautiful and it’s over one hectare, which is rare. It is rare to have that in your backyard,” she said.
“It’s iconic. Everyone goes, ‘Oh wow. I’ve had clients who had their wedding there’. Everyone has an association with the property. I can almost say with confidence that it’s the only property in Kapiti that has a name.
“I have got so much great engagement with it online. People commenting, people reaching out saying, ‘Oh wow, if I won the lottery, we would buy it’.”
A Lotto might not be necessary, though. “The thing with Greenmantle at the moment is that the price is probably not as intimidating as people think it is because the market has softened. It’s quite unique because it has that potential income. They charge $750 to $850 a night and they say they’re pretty good in occupancy,” McArtney told OneRoof.
- 214 Main Road, Otaihanga, Kapiti Coast, is for sale by way of tender, closing December 11
