Simon and Paula Herbert’s plans to buy land at Auckland’s Hobsonville Marina to create a 250-unit apartment block are still in limbo after the vast majority of nearby residents disagreed with it.
The Herberts, through their company Empire Capital, were granted consent last year to develop a residential and commercial precinct at east Auckland's Pine Harbour Marina.
However, they have not had the same luck in Hobsonville, where they lease the land from Auckland Council.
It is the latest in a string of bold property moves that has seen the former property lawyer turned developer increase his portfolio.
The Herberts are also the owner-operators of Bayswater Marina, meaning they control more than 18ha of prime waterfront real estate.
However, last year council put the sale of council-owned marina land on hold until a marina strategy is developed.
Herbert also made headlines after he revealed late last year that he bought an Auckland property for $3.9 million, then subdivided it and sold it four years later to a joint Singaporean and Australian company for $62.8m.
One of Herbert’s early acquisitions was the purchase of the derelict Sheraton Hotel in Rarotonga, which was bought for development in 2014 but sold two years later amid local claims that the property was cursed.
The Herberts live in a mansion in Herne Bay that they bought for just under $30m.
Photo: Stuff
2018: $70 million