High Country Queenstown Lodge Development

Significant High Country Queenstown Lodge Development Hits Market After Four Years of Consultation

14 October 2005

The creation of what is being described as a “true top end wilderness experience with peace and quiet and a relaxed laid back experience” adjourning the well-known 27,000 hectare Walter Peak Station in Queenstown is a one-off project that has taken four years of consultation to get to the market.

Expected to be around a $50 million development and the largest lodge development to date in Queenstown, Harcourts Queenstown Manager, Kelvin Collins who has worked closely with the development from day one said it was unusual to be able to purchase freehold lakeside land with consent of this magnitude already in place. He added that this would be hugely significance to potential buyers such as lodge operators, investors and developers looking to submit expressions of interest.

At 38.16 hectares (around 100 acres) the site has approximately 820 metre frontage to Lake Wakatipu on the north with Beech Bay road to the south. Access is by boat from Queenstown via the first private marina to be approved and built on Lake Wakatipu with alternative access through a back hills unsealed road from Te Anau. The marina is 1.5km from Beech Bay and the wharf where the TSS Earnslaw docks.

The project follows four years of negotiation with neighbours, interested parties, consultation with design and landscape consultants and strong involvement from the Wakatipu Environment Society. Mr Collins said while the result is smaller than the original proposal, he felt that over the last three years, the luxury boutique market had “matured making a smaller more intimate experience more desirable with a premium being paid for this type of experience”.

Harcourts Queenstown Sales Consultant, Warwick Osborne who is marketing the property said, “The 2001 council consent gave approval for 45 house units. The current consent gives approval for 17 buildings. This reduction fits the site better and reflects the maturing of the market for top end property.” He added that there was potential for the complex to be developed as a lifestyle club with reduced emphasis on the commercial viability of the lodge. more…

Significant High Country Queenstown Lodge Development on Market After Four Years of Consultation…. Cont…

In brief the agreed concept has two development regions:

1. Within the Mick O’Day creek basin: A lodge building that incorporates a wing with six guest suites, separate manager’s residence and eight cottages.

2. Along the lakefront terrace face: Eight homestead sites.

Several generic designs for the buildings have evolved over the last three years with the final agreement specifying each building is to be specifically designed to fit its location and contour. The consent provides for flexibility although each design will be subject to approval by a Design Review and Approval Committee.

Mr Osborne said, “All buildings will be created in the ‘rural Otago vernacular’ using most of the characteristics of this style such as single storey, typical roof pitches, scale and proportion and materials.” Following strict adherence to the consent process a solution that fits the landscape has been developed with a strong focus on ecological restoration already underway including a strong revegetation programme.

The eventual development will also enjoy restricted access to Walter Peak Station which is an icon in the region having some 64,000 acres ideal for tramping, horse treks and other high country recreational activities.

ENDS

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