O nce owned by royalty, one of New Zealand's most viewed homes, the historic Clark House in Auckland's Hobsonville, has finally been sold. The house gained attention in late , due to an unusual listed owner - her Majesty the Queen, who died earlier that year. With King Charles III having recently ascended the throne the idea that the sovereign owned the West Auckland property made headlines at the time.
But despite the clever advertising, in reality, neither the King nor Queen had individual ownership of the property. The final sale price hasn't been made public, Harcourts agents told the property news website OneRoof. Built by English ceramics entrepreneur Rice Owen Clark II in , the Italianate-style villa was a showcase for his company's unique experimental glazed, hollow ceramic blocks. The residence boasted several other visually striking features, including ornate iron-lace verandas, regarded as among the finest in New Zealand.
Its interior showcased a variety of ceiling designs, including elaborate kauri and intricate decorative tilework. The house, which needs restoration, includes 10 large rooms, stained glass windows, and a grand staircase.
After the Crown acquired the land in , it was subdivided and sold to European settlers, including Clark. The historic Clark House, once owned by the Queen has been sold.
