Dove Manor is a grand coastal manor in Red Beach, Auckland, and when we say this one needed love, we mean serious love.

The property had been used as a grow house, which left behind substantial moisture damage throughout. Upstairs flooring had to be fully replaced, walls were riddled with holes, windows were broken, and the entire home was tired, dated, and run down. Not exactly “manor chic.”

But from day one, the vision was crystal clear:
restore Dove Manor to the beautiful, commanding home it once was, with a modern beach-front twist to suit its location.

This is a five-bedroom, two-bathroom residence with sweeping staircases, a large private section, a pool, and uninterrupted views over the Whangaparāoa Estuary. Big bones. Big presence. Big potential.

In the first week alone, we stripped the property right back — removing the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, and all floor coverings to expose the full scope of work ahead. No hiding from it. No shortcuts.

The plan forward is simple and deliberate:

• Install a brand-new open-plan kitchen and dining space

• Add a new bathroom and a modern ensuite

• Replace all upstairs flooring

• Re-gib where required

• Modernise all bathrooms

• Refresh and elevate the outdoor areas

• Update and tidy the pool zone to match the home’s scale and setting

The backstory?
We purchased Dove Manor at auction with a JV partner. Bidding stalled in the low $900,000s before heading into negotiations. After over an hour of back-and-forth — and an extra $100,000, we secured the property for $1,030,000.

Only after negotiations were complete were we told the vendor had walked in expecting $1.7 million.

Today, with the transformation underway, the estimated resale sits between $2–$2.5 million.

Dove Manor isn’t just a renovation, it’s a full resurrection. A reminder that the right vision, the right numbers, and the willingness to do the hard work can turn even the messiest properties into something exceptional.

If you want pretty before photos, this isn’t the project.
If you want real transformation, welcome to Dove Manor.