It sits high above Auckland’s CBD, watching, waiting for a new owner to call this penthouse apartment home.
For the first time in 10 years, the 38th floor of the Metropolis tower is on the market — for a cool $10 million.
"This is not a cookie-cutter home," laughed Jayne Kiely, half of the Ray White Real Estate team tasked with finding a buyer for the plush pad.
"We have 325 square meters, two 70-metre decks, three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and absolute security."
That’s the real estate basics, but this apartment’s special features make it a listing unlike any other in New Zealand.
Under more than 100 square meters of marble, kilometres of cables link this ultra-smart home to its owners' devices.
Fourteen different televisions fold out of walls at the press of a button. Hallway doors are hidden seamlessly behind marble and open with a push of a button.
But behind a frosted glass wall is this apartment’s most impressive — and outlandish — feature: A 1959 Bel Air Chevrolet.
Its sleek red body is 38 floors away from the nearest road, overlooking the Waitematā Harbour. But it’s not entirely static.
With a press of a button, it comes alive on a rotating platform. The car roof rises, and the boot flips to reveal a queen bed.
“And apparently, it's very comfortable,” Kiely joked.
The whole car had to be taken apart and flown in by helicopter. It was dropped onto one of the decks and reassembled where it sits now — with the saucy licence plate DIVORCE.
“Everything you see is included in the chattel list, including the car because I don't think the owner wants to take it out.”
The real star of this site is the view. Every direction you look is filled with iconic Auckland sights.
"You can actually go out on that western deck and wave to people in the Sky Tower. You're like, 'gidday mate'.” said Kiely.
With an infinity spa on one deck and a fire pit on the other, this place is all about entertaining while borrowing from a superhero theme.
You can see the Batman emblem on the security pad that controls most of the apartment. It’s on the elevator door, too. But it’s most prominent in the lounge's large "Gotham City" decal.
Is the owner a fan of Batman? Not really. But he loved the idea of a theme that tied the property together.
"He is just having a bit of fun. Everyone has white and fluffy pillows and throws. This is just completely different, and if you can, why not?"
This has been largely a family home for the past decade.
The ultra-private owner designed it himself. With no interior design experience, he embarked on a four-year journey to create the Batman-themed lookout.
Many of our homes play it safe, with a fear of over-personalising and alienating prospective buyers.
Not here. This apartment is an incredibly personal — and expensive — living piece of art that captures the essence of the owner's life at the time.
Will someone see it and fall in love with what he’s done? Maybe. It will likely go to someone who introduces their own multi-millionaire taste.
I hope they keep the car — it's cool.
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