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Keeper wanted: Wellington’s Island Bay Lighthouse hits the market
This 42sqm South Coast landmark comes with sea views, five-star reviews and bookings into 2027.
AI summary
Wellington's iconic Island Bay Lighthouse is for sale. This unique one-bedroom home is a highly successful short-stay accommodation business with bookings secured into 2027.
The new owner has multiple options:
- Continue the profitable business
- Use it as a private seaside retreat
- Redevelop the site using included concept plans and an approved resource consent
This landmark property on The Esplanade offers stunning sea views and a rare opportunity in a sought-after suburb.
For decades, a little lighthouse has kept watch over Wellington’s South Coast. Now it’s looking for a new keeper.
The Island Bay Lighthouse at 326 The Esplanade is on the market.
Loved by Wellingtonians and visitors alike, the building is being sold by owners who are reluctantly moving on.
“The current owners are offering an attractive and unique product to the market,” says David Vaughan of Tommy’s Real Estate.
In its first 24 hours on Trade Me Property, the listing was viewed more than 1,500 times and added to close to 100 Watchlists.
From art studio to local icon
Former owner Bruce Stokell built the lighthouse in the early 1990s as an art studio for his wife, Rosemary. There was just one catch: nobody had asked her. Rosemary decided it was far too nice to use as a studio, and it’s been rented out as holiday accommodation ever since.
To be clear, it’s not a working lighthouse (no lamp-keeping duties required). It’s a purpose-built one-bedroom home with genuine lighthouse features throughout.
The 42sqm home is spread over three levels on a 566sqm section, with an easy walk up from the street.
It’s built with quality materials, including a copper roof and recycled rimu ceilings, plus some wall insulation made from natural and recycled wool fibres.
Then there are the views: the sea feels close enough to touch, with fresh sea breezes all year round.
A peek inside the Island Bay Lighthouse
Guests keep coming back
The lighthouse is currently run as short-stay accommodation, with five-star online reviews, plenty of repeat guests and bookings well into 2027.
“The Island Bay Lighthouse was already a good business when they purchased it several years ago – however, the current owners have turned it into a ‘great business’,” says David. The lighthouse is rarely without guests, so viewings are by appointment only.
Room to dream bigger
There’s another option for anyone with a vision: the sale includes concept plans and an approved resource consent to redevelop the site. “The lucky new owner could keep it as a successful Airbnb and enjoy the income stream – or, why not take advantage of the concept plans and resource consent obtained and build their ‘dream home’ – or simply enjoy the current property as the seaside retreat you have always wanted,” says David.
Village life by the sea
The lighthouse is about 15 minutes from Wellington’s CBD and eight minutes from the airport, yet it feels rustic, romantic and very private.
Nearby are the Taputeranga Marine Reserve, a dog beach and rock pools. Island Bay village is around the corner, with schools, cafés, public transport and the Empire cinema.
It’s a suburb people rarely leave. Our data shows that Island Bay had the most saved watchlisted properties in the country over the year to the end of June.
“It’s relatively close to town, it has a down-to-earth Kiwi lifestyle that we all dream about, a child-friendly beach, a great village and excellent schools, what’s not to like?” says Gavin Lloyd, Customer Director at Trade Me Property.
Could you be its next keeper?
Whether the next owner keeps welcoming guests, builds something new or simply moves in for a life by the sea, the lighthouse is set for a fresh start.
If you do fancy being the next keeper of this iconic home, you'll need to act fast. Tenders close at 12pm on Wednesday 2 December 2026. Check out the full listing on Trade Me Property here.
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