Crowded House singer Neil Finn paid a reported NZ$4.2 million for Auckland’s Edinburgh Castle pub; he plans to turn it into a wellness retreat

Neil Finn, the singer-songwriter known for Crowded House and Split Enz, has bought a troubled Auckland pub with plans to give the historic property a new purpose. Finn paid a reported NZ$4.2 million for the Edinburgh Castle on Symonds Street in Eden Terrace, according to OneRoof. The off-market deal was completed in March 2026, with the purchase price reportedly NZ$2 million above the property’s rateable value. Built in the 1860s, the pub has faced years of complaints about disorder and violence. It surrendered its liquor licence in 2023 after residents and police opposed its renewal, and it later lost its gambling machine licence in November 2025. Finn’s spokesperson confirmed that he intends to turn the venue into a wellness retreat, although work will begin only after planning permissions are approved. The property is also near Roundhead, Finn’s recording studio, adding another building to his holdings in the neighbourhood.Neil Finn buys Edinburgh Castle pub in Eden Terrace for NZ$4.2 millionThe acquisition became public in May 2026, when The Spinoff reported that Finn had bought the Edinburgh Castle and intended to transform it into a wellness retreat. A spokesperson confirmed the purchase, saying the project would begin once planning permissions were approved. No further details were provided about the proposed facilities, services or opening date. According to OneRoof, the off-market transaction was completed in March 2026, with Finn reportedly paying NZ$4.2 million, around NZ$2 million above the property’s rateable valueThe pub stands on the corner of Symonds Street and Newton Road in Auckland’s Eden Terrace neighbourhood. Finn already owns Roundhead, his recording studio on Newton Road, and has acquired other properties in the surrounding area over the years. Local business owners have welcomed the proposed change. Chand Sahrawat, who operates The French Cafe nearby, told Radio New Zealand that she was excited about Finn taking over the property. She described a concept focused on wellbeing and connection as a welcome change for a site that has faced challenges over the years. The proposed retreat would give the building a different role in the neighbourhood, although its eventual design and operating model remain unclear.Edinburgh Castle pub history: licensing disputes and gambling venue troublesThe Edinburgh Castle dates to the 1860s and is described by The Spinoff as the only surviving hotel from a group built near the top of Symonds Street during that period. Its history of licensing disputes began early. In 1865, 60 residents reportedly opposed granting the hotel a licence, arguing that a hotel was not needed in the area and could disturb the neighbourhood. Despite their objections, the licence was granted. More than a century later, the pub again faced opposition from residents and police over concerns about disorder and violence. According to The Spinoff, the Edinburgh Castle surrendered its liquor licence in 2023 after its renewal was strongly opposed by locals and police. It continued operating as a hotel and gambling venue, including offering accommodation and poker machines.The venue’s later history included the fatal assault on mixed martial arts fighter Fau Vake in May 2021. According to The New Zealand Herald, Vake was punched in the head during a verbal altercation outside the pub and died days later. The four men involved in the case had different legal outcomes. Daniel Havili pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 2 years and 9 months in prison. Ofa Folau received 6 months of home detention for assault, while Siofilisi Paongo received 5 months of home detention for assault-related offences. Neither Folau nor Paongo was responsible for the blows that caused Vake’s death. The fourth man, Semisie Pomale, was discharged without conviction. The individual outcomes are documented in reporting by RNZ, the Otago Daily Times and Newstalk ZB.The pub continued operating after surrendering its liquor licence, but its gambling machine licence ended on November 30, 2025, according to The Spinoff. That removed a major source of revenue from the venue. By the time Finn’s purchase was announced, the building had quietly shut, with plywood covering its entrance. Finn’s plan represents a possible new use for the site, but the proposed retreat remains subject to planning approval. Details about the centre’s facilities and opening date have not been announced.Neil Finn’s Auckland property portfolio: Roundhead and neighbouring purchasesThe Edinburgh Castle purchase adds to Finn’s property holdings around Eden Terrace. OneRoof reported that Finn has acquired buildings on the block since 2003, including a property bought for NZ$1.13 million in 2010. The block houses Roundhead, his recording studio, which has operated in the neighbourhood for more than 20 years. The studio has hosted musicians including Kanye West, Johnny Marr and KT Tunstall, as well as Crowded House and Finn’s son, Liam Finn. The pub and studio are close to one another, giving the acquisition a direct connection to Finn’s existing presence in the area.OneRoof also reported that Finn paid NZ$1.8 million in March 2026 for a neighbouring former panel-beating workshop on Randolph Street. The property measures 440 square metres. The purchase, alongside the Edinburgh Castle deal, adds to his commercial holdings in the neighbourhood. Away from central Auckland, Finn bought a bach in West Auckland in 2021 for more than NZ$3 million, according to OneRoof. The outlet reported that the price was more than double the property’s rateable value at the time.Finn previously owned a villa on Corunna Avenue in Auckland’s Parnell suburb. The property, described as about a century old, sold in 2015 for NZ$3.8 million, according to property reporting by OneRoof and The New Zealand Herald. For now, the Edinburgh Castle’s future depends on the planning process. Finn’s purchase and stated intention to create a wellness retreat have been reported, but the centre’s design, services and opening date have not yet been announced. The project could give a long-troubled venue a new purpose while expanding Finn’s property presence around his recording studio.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.