Prominent Wellington art collectors Lizzie and Mal Brow are putting their luxurious Karori mansion and most of their valuable art collection up for sale as they prepare to relocate to Australia. The couple's five-bedroom Cape Cod-style home at 14 Homewood Avenue has been listed with a guide price of $5.75 million or more, while their extensive artwork collection will go under the hammer at an Auckland auction in October.
The impressive property, which has generated significant interest since hitting the market in late August, features numerous high-end amenities including an outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, and a massive wine cellar capable of storing over 1,500 bottles. Charles Morley-Hall, the listing agent from Just Paterson, believes the home ranks among Wellington's finest properties. "Well, I believe it's one of Wellington's best, if not the best," he told OneRoof, noting that potential buyers have been eager to share their opinions about the exceptional residence.
Originally built in the 1950s, the mansion underwent extensive renovations by the Brows in collaboration with the award-winning architectural firm Parsonson Architects. The upgraded home now boasts several eye-catching features, including a cavernous wine cellar, a dedicated art storage room, and an outdoor entertainment area complete with heated concrete chairs. Mal Brow emphasized the property's entertainment capabilities, explaining, "At Christmas time, we normally have a big gathering, with more than 20 people around a big, beautiful, built-in table."
The Brows purchased their dream home 15 years ago for just under $4 million and have used it to house their ever-expanding art collection. However, family considerations have prompted their decision to sell and move to Australia. "We've always thought about moving to Australia," Mal explained. "Two of my older children are now living in Australia, and my wife is from Australia." He acknowledged the difficulty of leaving their beloved home, stating, "It's a big decision to move out of here, because we absolutely adore it. But I think it's a wonderful opportunity for a change after 15 years."
The couple's departure means parting with a significant portion of their art collection, which will be sold at an artobject auction in Auckland on October 22 and 23. Mal noted that they simply own too much artwork to transport it all to Australia. The impressive collection includes works by renowned artists such as Ralph Hotere, Michael Smither, Liz Moore, Shane Cotton, Andrew McLeod, and Don Driver, representing some of the finest contemporary art from the region.
Morley-Hall highlighted the property's unique appeal to luxury homebuyers, particularly its rare combination of privacy and convenience. "I think what's so lovely about this property is that everything opens up onto this amazing garden. It's on half an acre of flat land, which is pretty unusual, so close to the town," he explained. The agent praised the home's natural lighting and outdoor spaces, noting how it "gets lovely sun" and "looks out to the swimming pool, a big lawn, and the tennis court." He particularly emphasized the seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces, calling it his favorite feature of the home.
The prestigious Karori location adds another layer of appeal to the property. Morley-Hall described the suburb as having "a fantastic community" and noted that the home is "surrounded by embassies," including the British High Commission, Philippine embassy, and Thai embassy. This diplomatic neighborhood adds to the area's exclusivity and international character.
Despite recent sluggishness in Wellington's high-end real estate market, Morley-Hall remains optimistic about finding the right buyer. He acknowledged that while the luxury market has been slow in recent months, there have been some strong sales above $5 million, indicating that serious buyers are still active. The agent also noted that while the loosening of foreign buyer restrictions may take time to impact the market significantly, he believes now presents an excellent opportunity for New Zealand buyers. "I think for New Zealanders who want to secure these $5 million-plus houses, now is the time to do it," he advised. "In time, prices will go up, and the competition from overseas buyers will increase." The property tender is scheduled to close on September 18.
