A 700-square-foot converted boat shed in Auckland has sold for a record NZ$2,050,000 – despite there being no bathroom and unable to be used as a live-in residence.
An anonymous buyer dropped their cash on the tiny historical property at Whakatakataka Bay, Ōrākei, the highest price ever paid in New Zealand for a boat shed.
In August last year, one sold for $1.35 million. Two years ago, another sold for just over $1 million.
The boat shed, nestled on the city’s waterfront, was being advertised as a “day bach” where those who could afford the steep price can “retreat to relax and reset”.
The boat shed, originally built in the 1930s, is protected by heritage laws, and has a small wharf that extends out on to the water, but the buyer will not gain a freehold ownership title – the price of sale buys a licence to occupy, rather than possession of the land.
Boatshed 15 is really just one large room with an open dining area and kitchenette located off the entry in the front and a living room leading to the deck and jetty in the back.
The auction was opened at $800,000, with four bidders battling it out to gain access to the spot.
Realtor Paul Sissons told 1News the new owners are Ōraki residents who will be using the boat shed as a base for their boating activities.
Photography: New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty