Home / Arts and Entertainment / Neil Finn transforms historic Edinburgh Castle pub
Neil Finn transforms historic Edinburgh Castle pub
26 Oct
Summary
- Neil Finn purchased a troubled Auckland pub for NZ$4.2 million.
- The historic Edinburgh Castle will become a wellness retreat.
- The pub faced disorder complaints and surrendered its liquor license.
Musician Neil Finn has acquired the historic Edinburgh Castle pub in Auckland's Eden Terrace for a reported NZ$4.2 million in an off-market deal completed in March 2026. The venue, built in the 1860s, has a history of disorder complaints and violence, leading it to surrender its liquor license in 2023 after significant opposition from residents and police. It also lost its gambling machine license in November 2025.
Finn plans to transform the troubled pub into a wellness retreat, a project that will commence once planning permissions are secured. This acquisition adds to Finn's property portfolio in the area, which includes his Roundhead recording studio. Local business owners have expressed excitement about the proposed change, viewing it as a positive development for the neighbourhood.
The Edinburgh Castle has faced licensing disputes since its early days. More recently, it was the site of a fatal assault in May 2021. By the time Finn's purchase was announced in May 2026, the pub had closed, with its future now hinging on planning approvals for the proposed retreat.
