- A hilltop castle in Brooklyn, Wellington, once a luxury hotel for dogs, is for sale.
- The property, transformed from a radar bunker, features medieval charm and modern comforts.
- Listing agent Glen Jones expects it to sell for more than its CV of $3.68m.
An iconic hilltop castle that was once a luxury hotel for dogs has hit the market for sale in Wellington.
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The distinctive yellow-coloured chateau at 430 Hawkins Hill Road, in Brooklyn, looks over the city and the Cook Strait.
Listing agent Glen Jones, from New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty, told OneRoof the property was one-of-a-kind.
“We’re thinking of it could be an ambassadorial residence or a corporate retreat or wellness centre. It’s ideal for hosting large parties.”
The property is being sold by Wellington developer and financier Brian Willman, who picked it up in 1998 for $241,875, according to a report in the New Zealand Herald.
Back then the main building on the 4028sqm section was a large concrete compound, which had started life as a radar bunker for Airways Corporation.
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Willman turned the bunker into a medieval castle, from which he ran several businesses, including Woofington’s, a luxury hotel for dogs which closed in 2021.
Jones told OneRoof the transformation of the property had been a labour of love for him. “It’s amazing and you know, Wellington weather being Wellington weather, it’s often called Castle in the Clouds because it’s right up there above it all.”
The agent declined to put a price on the property, but expected it would sell for more than its RV of $3.68 million.
The agent says the castle could be turned into an ambassadorial residence. Photo / Supplied
The castle looks out over the capital city and toward Cook Strait. Photo / Supplied
Jones’s listing, which he shares with colleagues Marina Scoble and Wayne Kemp, highlights the property’s standout features.
“Crafted from solid block construction, this unique residence blends medieval charm with modern comfort. Wrought iron chandeliers, feature timber beams, and vaulted ceilings create an atmosphere of timeless elegance. Expansive formal and informal living areas flow seamlessly throughout the 900sqm (approx.) floor plan,” the listing on OneRoof said.
“Upstairs, the open-plan function space impresses with its own bar and breathtaking outlook. Downstairs, discover flexible spaces including bedrooms, bathrooms, a formal lounge with a woodfire, a billiards room, a workshop, a gym, and a spacious studio.”
The Herald reported that Woofington’s was raided by armed police in 2019, with officers later “charging a man after discovering an improvised explosive device”.
- 430 Hawkins Hill Road, Brooklyn, Wellington, is for sale, tender closing April 30
