Who’s been quietly buying up Wellington?

It’s not a big corporate.

Not a fund.

Not a flashy syndicate.

It’s one private investor.

You probably won’t spot him stepping out of a Bentley. More likely, you’ll pass him on the street, on foot or cycling (a real one, no battery). No suit, no entourage. Just a quiet presence that blends into the crowd. Some have called him the Arctic Fox, elusive, strategic, and always moving.

In the past 12 months, this low-profile operator has spent close to $150 million acquiring commercial and industrial real estate across the Wellington region.

Here’s just a snapshot:

Industrial – Seaview, Lower Hutt

• 77–79 Port Road – $12 million

• 42 Seaview Road – $12.46 million

Wellington CBD

• 181 Wakefield Street – $4.46 million

• 200 Wakefield Street / 80 Courtenay Place – $32.3 million

• 109 Featherston Street – $14 million

• The big one: 70 Willis Street – $30 million

Newtown• 15 Fergusson Street – $3.5 million

And further afield

• Waipuna Hotel & Conference Centre, Auckland – $38.46 million

If you guessed Eyal Aharoni of Prime Property you’re right. Known for seeking value-add opportunities, Eyal has built a reputation for playing the long game with precision and patience.

You may recall his blockbuster sale last year: a $104 million portfolio of adjoining Rongotai properties, sold to none other than Peter Jackson.

Eyal, I know you’re a regular reader of this newsletter. Like many successful investors, you keep a close eye on the market. If I’ve missed any recent acquisitions or gotten something wrong, let me know. I always aim to keep the facts straight.

And while I’ve got your attention: what about telling us your story? I’m sure aspiring investors would like to know how you’ve achieved such success. As a former teacher, you understand that knowledge grows when it’s shared.