Sprawling Parnell site expected to top $20m

The houses on the properties at 5 to 7 Judge St, Parnell are expected to be removed by a new owner.

A 3,361sq m chunk of land in the centre of Parnell is expected to sell for more than $20 million.

Two homes are on neighbouring titles at 5 and 7 Judge St and were valued at $16.7 million combined in 2011.

The properties are just around the corner from the Prime Minister's St Stephen's Ave mansion.

On the next street over, Crescent Rd, a vacant section sold for $10 million a few years ago. The 2010 building which was put on it is now worth $12 million.

The properties are owned by philanthropist, author and businesswoman Christine Fernyhough, according to public records.

The former Auckland socialite-turned sheep farmer (she sold her 4,000ha Canterbury station a couple of years ago) co-founded Duffy Books in Homes, which provides free books to more than 100,000 New Zealand children three times a year, and the Gifted Kids Programme for high-achieving children in low-decile schools.

She is the widow of Colin Fernyhough, first chairman of the state-owned Electricity Corporation of New Zealand, or Electricorp.

Her home at No 5 is a 1960s weatherboard with a 351sqm floor. It has four bedrooms, one bathroom and a valuation of $6.9 million.

Ms Fernyhough bought the home in May 2001 for $2.4 million.

Number 7 is a $9.8 million three-bedroom home made of mixed materials and also built in the 1960s.

It has floor space of 397sq m floor and Ms Fernyhough bought it in 1999 for $2.5 million.

Real estate agent Graham Wall says the new owner is likely to demolish the dated properties to make way for a sprawling mansion.

"It's quite unbelievable such a big stretch of land still exists," Mr Wall said.