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.
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