Prime land for sale after 108 years to help fund business growth  

A parcel of land with historic connections to the early development of Queenstown’s Frankton Flats is up for sale after sitting empty for 108 years.

A parcel of land with historic connections to the early development of Queenstown’s Frankton Flats is up for sale after sitting empty for 108 years.

The 5,199sqm piece of land, spread over three titles, was bought in 1913 by Robert Grant as part of the Grant Family Farm and has never been on the market.

The land’s perched on the hillside above Queenstown’s Frankton Road with outstanding views towards The Remarkables mountain range, an easy two-minute walk to lakeside walking and biking tracks and the Frankton Marina.

Of the farmland originally bought by Robert Grant, 72 hectares was sold to the Queenstown Airport Corporation in December 1996, enabling the runway extension and development of playing fields alongside the Queenstown Events Centre.

A further 277 hectares on Queenstown Hill is still being farmed by Robert’s descendants operating in a family trust. It’s the trust that has decided to sell the Frankton Road parcel of land to help fund an innovative retail development project.

The Grant family will use proceeds of the sale to further develop their ‘Country Lane’ boutique and artisan style retail hub where old cabins salvaged from the former council-run Queenstown campground are being given a new lease of life.

Bruce Grant and his sister Tineke Enright, fourth generation guardians of Robert’s property, aren’t particularly interested in farming so when their parents Tilly and Bill Grant retired they began transforming some of the old farm buildings.

The first to get a makeover was the old barn built by their grandfather in the early 50’s which houses furniture, homewares and Tineke’s childrens’ clothing label Pretty Kiwi.  The centre’s now also home to the Buzzstop Honey Centre, Mount Michael Wines, Posh Paws, Ride To The Sky, Bright Ink and Wakatipu Therapeutic Massage.

Five former campground cabins are being established on the site which will house new businesses due to open in spring with everything from pottery to plants.

Bruce Grant says selling the Frankton Road property will hugely subsidise the new development.

“It’s a pretty cool spot, a stunning piece of land that’s already zoned differently to the rest of the property so it’s ripe for development,” he says. “The topography of the land lends itself to multiple units like the Mantra Marina apartments across the road and there’s plenty of good access.”

Marketed by David Poppleton and Peter Nelson of Harcourts Queenstown, the land will be sold by deadline sale on June 10 to give buyers the opportunity to make conditional offers while they seek independent advice on the use of the land.

David and Peter describe this as a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to buy a large section, with plenty of potential, in an outstanding location.

They believe it will most likely appeal to a developer keen on building units, someone looking to subdivide into sections or to land-bank for the future.

Access to the site is from the first corner of Marina Drive and there are also two legal access points from the private road above it which also serves as an access road to the rest of the farm.

The Frankton Road street frontage is 110 metres along the south boundary and a small block of council-owned land with a tree-covered pathway leads from the land’s main access point on Marina Drive to the bus stop opposite the Marina entrance.

 

Read More

Young Landscaper of the Year and national awards medal bonanza for Southern Landmarx

Queenstown landscaping company Southern Landmarx had a glittering night at the Landscapes of Distinction Awards in Christchurch over the weekend.

Queenstown landscaping company Southern Landmarx had a glittering night at the Landscapes of Distinction Awards in Christchurch over the weekend.

Not only did they bring home an outstanding three gold and three silver medals for two Cromwell-based landscape projects, but their Operations Manager Tama Ritter won New Zealand Young Landscaper of the Year.

Southern Landmarx directors Jaye and Joe Nutting paid tribute to the “hard work and determination” shown by Tama in winning the national title.

“We’re all extremely proud of him after he came to us seven years ago knowing nothing about landscaping, but he’s worked his way up from an apprentice to the top,” said Jaye.

Tama, 28, said he had found his day of practical tests, a speech and interviews, up against 12 other competitors, “a bit nerve wracking and daunting.”

He won two Outstanding Achievement awards in Career Development and Communications before he was named the overall winner at the gala dinner presentation.

“It was such a surprise to hear my name being called out and it still hasn’t really sunk in, to be honest,” he said. “But I see it as confirmation of how far I have come in the industry, and it’s the cherry on top of all the hard work over the years.

“I love landscaping because it isn’t just one skillset, it’s such a wide variety of work. Each project has new and interesting challenges.

“You take a ‘blank’ landscape around some awesome houses and then the visual aspect of what we add is huge. It’s like dressing the house so it’s shown off to its full advantage, maximising the landscape and its surrounds.”

Southern Landmarx faced stiff competition from a record number of entries from all around New Zealand for the landscape awards.

The company won an impressive two gold medals in landscape construction and landscape horticulture for its Clutha River Views entry, as well as a silver for design. It also won a gold medal in landscape construction for its Dunstan Vista residence along with two silvers for design and horticulture.

Jaye and Joe said it was a “fantastic acknowledgement” of the hard work that had gone into the two properties by their 16-strong team.

“We also want to acknowledge the vision and dedication of the owners and their collaborative approach which has enabled us to do so well across these three key residential landscape categories,” said managing director Joe.

“We’re thrilled to win these awards which recognise and celebrate the high-quality design and construction of our work, and our ability to use plants that have been locally raised and ‘hardened off’ in our Cromwell-based Burn Cottage Nursery.”

Joe said the Clutha River Views project was a “particularly inspiring” garden to work on due to the owners’ desire to incorporate an historical element into a new build, integrating elements of their past home to which they had an emotional attachment following the Christchurch earthquakes.

The Dunstan Vista project was inspired by family, meeting not only the needs of the clients but their grandchildren. For that reason it incorporated an expansive lawn for the children to play, a pool area for the heat of summer and a unique, peaceful seating area away from the main home where the owners could relax while soaking up the views.

For more information about Southern Landmarx go to www.slx.co.nz

Read More

Lake Hawea sections hit the market at Longview

One of the most eagerly-awaited developments in the ‘hot’ Queenstown Lakes property market has hit the market this week.

One of the most eagerly-awaited developments in the ‘hot’ Queenstown Lakes property market has hit the market this week.

Universal Developments has released the first tranche of sections at Longview in Lake Hawea, meaning offers can be made now.

Just 55 bare sections are being released on the 35ha development for 2021, on a stunning piece of land that’s just three minutes from the Lake Hawea water’s edge and a short drive from Wanaka.

Section prices start at $239,000 and are being marketed as ideal for first-home buyers, many of whom are struggling to get on the property ladder in the current market, retirees and those looking for the perfect holiday home.

Lake Hawea is renowned for its recreational opportunities including boating, mountain biking, kayaking and walking. Access to Wanaka’s world-renowned ski areas is less than an hour’s drive away.

The Wanaka and Lake Hawea areas are among the fastest growing in the country – just recently a plan to develop a massive film park on the outskirts of Wanaka was hailed as a “game-changer”. Silverlight Studioshas been given Government approval to apply under special Covid-19 legislation for a fast-tracked consent application to build film studios, production offices and a film and technology school.

Harcourts Wanaka agents Eamon and Riki Young say that in a fast-moving property market, buying land off the plan might just be the smartest way to make the most of record low interest rates and stake a claim in the Queenstown Lakes real estate market.

With some of the most affordable sections and packages in the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes districts, the area is being seen as a future satellite township for Wanaka and Eamon Young believes it won’t take long for land to be snapped up.

Affordable land and home packages will also be available with a range of local building companies lining up to work on options for buyers ranging from $499,000 to $549,000, $599,000 and $650,000, all under the ceiling for the Home Start Grant. There are also packages above the $650,000 figure.

Ten group homebuilders will each have a show home in a dedicated precinct at the subdivision.

“We’re already seeing strong interest in the initial release, and as it’s first-come first-served, those quick off the mark can choose their section and get underway with building their dream home,” says Eamon.

Longview has consent in place for a childcare centre and for a commercial building containing a licensed café, offices and commercial tenancies. It also features two large reserves and children’s playground.

Titles on the first sections are expected in April 2022. All enquiries can be directed to [email protected].

Read More

Millbrook Resort forges ahead with investment in new development

Queenstown’s Millbrook Resort is forging ahead with substantial investment plans as it works towards opening nine new golf holes later this year.

Queenstown’s Millbrook Resort is forging ahead with substantial investment plans as it works towards opening nine new golf holes later this year.

In a boost to New Zealand golf tourism, a $4million-plus infrastructure investment is aimed at enhancing the five star resort’s guest experience in preparation for the launch of its 36-hole golf offering.

In addition to the resort’s existing 27-holes, the new nine golf holes recently constructed will make Millbrook one of only two golf courses in New Zealand to offer two distinctly different 18-hole courses.

Golf construction works start March 2021 on a new practice putting green near the golf shop and reception building, along with the reconfiguration of tees on the Remarkables No. 1 hole. This work makes way for the construction of new golf cart storage barns and cart wash-down facilities.

A 25m-wide tree lined boulevard will be created between the new cart barns and golf shop, which has been designed as a shared space for pedestrians, golf carts and vehicles from the reception area towards The Spa, Health & Fitness Centre and the new Coronet golf course.

The golf shop will also receive major alterations and renovations including French doors opening out onto a new deck towards the starters area, and new retail fit-out.

An improved arrival court adjacent to the reception building will create a larger, safer and easier to navigate forecourt with views over the new practice putting green and towards The Remarkables. Significant hard and soft landscaping improvements designed by Baxter Design and a new porters’ shed complete improvements in this area.

Millbrook’s Director of Property and Development Ben O’Malley says the latest project is part of continued planned investment in resort development and improvements.

Work is nearly complete on the $50m development of the Mill Farm area of Millbrook which houses the new golf holes and two residential neighbourhoods. The 67-hectare site will be home to what Millbrook believes to be the highest commercial golf tee in the country at 480 metres above sea level.

“We continue to invest in the resort’s long-term future and the timing could not be better to carry out this work in the build-up to next summer and the 2022 New Zealand Open,” he says.

“With a carefully planned work sequence we don’t anticipate the work will have any major impact on our visitors, golfers and members but we very much appreciate their patience while it’s underway.”

Work is anticipated to be completed in December this year.

A video of the new Mill Farm development is here.

Read More

Gibbston Valley development attracts ‘unprecedented’ levels of interest

Homes and sections in a multi-million-dollar “piece of paradise” in Queenstown’s idyllic Gibbston Valley have attracted “unprecedented” levels of enquiry since launching this week.

Homes and sections in a multi-million-dollar “piece of paradise” in Queenstown’s idyllic Gibbston Valley have attracted “unprecedented” levels of enquiry since launching this week.

Would-be buyers from all around New Zealand and expats looking to secure a future home in a 1000-acre station nestled in one of Central Otago’s finest wine-growing regions have had the phones running hot in the past 36 hours since hitting the market.

The $750 million luxury development has already attracted interest from high-profile buyers including former prime minister Sir John Key, cricket star Brendon McCullum and other well-known sportspeople.

The project is located on Gibbston Valley Station, co-owned by Gibbston Valley Winery, Lodge and Spa CEO Greg Hunt and US-based Phil Griffiths.

Property buyers to date are overwhelmingly from Auckland, with others being kiwis based in the US and East Coast Australians.

Set between craggy mountain ranges and the fast-flowing Kawarau River, the homes range in price from $1.25m plus GST to $4.5m plus GST.

Harcourts Queenstown managing director Warwick Osborne says the company is delighted to work with the owners of a development of this scale and quality.

“It’s the first type of resort of this nature seen in New Zealand for many years,” he says.

Harcourts Queenstown agent Hamish Walker, who is marketing the development, says buyers are “flocking to quality”.

“We almost can’t keep up with the level of enquiry that’s coming through, with buyers attracted to the scale and location of what’s on offer, and pricing that’s meeting the market when overall demand is at an all-time high.

“The first release of fifteen properties were snapped up within the first day of going on the market worth $25m plus in contracts going out the door. Release Two isn’t going to last long at this rate with 20 more two, three and four-bedroom properties available. People need to get in touch now if they want to take advantage of this opportunity.

“Buyers are also attracted to the flexibility of the offering, with the ability to live in these homes with this amazing playground on their doorstep and rent them out when they wish via the resort.”

The station will include access to a nine-hole golf course, a country club and spa, wellness centre, restaurant, gym and a village with artisan shops, café and garden centre.

The first stage of the development will be a collection of 132 homes called The Vines, directly across the road from the Gibbston Valley Winery. A retreat lodge is also planned for another part of the station, containing 20 units.

Greg Hunt says the resort is the realisation of a long-term development plan, with zoning granted 12 months ago for the golf course and resort. Building is anticipated to start in 2022.

“We’re building so much more than a resort here,” he says. “We have always had a vision to create a community where friends and families can gather to create memories and share experiences.

“Sustainability and healthy living are also key to what we will offer, with homeowners and visitors able to learn about the process of winemaking from bud to bottle, and have easy access to the Gibbston walking and cycling trail as well as new trails we plan to develop.

“The Vintners Village will become a central hub not only for visitors but Gibbston residents.”

Buyer enquiries should be directed to Hamish Walker on [email protected]

 

Read More

Plans finalised for Major Community Precinct at Remarkables Park, Queenstown

Plans finalised for Major Community Precinct at Remarkables Park, Queenstown

A multi-generational community precinct has been announced today for Remarkables Park, Queenstown’s fast-growing commercial, visitor accommodation and residential district.

Remarkables Park Limited said detailed plans had been finalised for a centrally-located community precinct to include a medical clinic, retirement village, a major new Salvation Army centre, a community centre, adjacent recreation park, and a further kindergarten and student tuition building.

The community precinct is immediately south of Wakatipu High School and extends from Red Oaks Drive through to Mountain Ash Drive.

Remarkables Park Ltd executive chairman Alastair Porter said the geographically-central approximately 4.5 hectare precinct was within the urban boundaries of the Shotover and Kawarau bridges. Its close proximity to the bulk of the Queenstown population made it a “socially and economically desirable” location.

The multi-storey Queenstown Clinic is designed to house a wide range of facilities including a General Practice doctors, a pharmacy, café, physio and sports rehabilitation facilities, Skin Institute Queenstown, a dental surgery, ophthalmology centre, and patient visitor accommodation.

The Pacific Radiology MRI unit, currently housed in a nearby relocatable building, will be able to move into the ground floor of the Queenstown Clinic.

The top floor of the clinic has been designed to accommodate a private hospital facility. Following a decision by Southern Cross to build outside the urban boundaries, Remarkables Park Ltd (RPL) says it is in discussion with other parties for this facility.

Mr Porter said that, as a large scale developer with centrally-located land outside the airport’s noise boundaries, RPL believed it was also a “responsible approach” to hold land aside within the planned community precinct for future consideration for hospital expansion facilities to service Queenstown in the long term.

A large, vertical retirement village with space for up to five tower blocks, all with exceptional views, is planned as part of the community precinct. It will feature a pool, exercise facilities and other desirable retirement amenities.

The approved two-storey Salvation Army building will house a large shop, offices, meeting rooms and a congregation area downstairs, with more office and administration space upstairs. Building is expected to start in 2020.

The clinic is ready to go to the Queenstown Lakes District Council Design Review Board in October and the retirement village, kindergarten and tuition centre are all in design stages.

“It’s important to note that this precinct is designed as a cluster of co-located key community facilities in an area that is already fully-zoned for this purpose,” said Mr Porter.

“In the case of a major civil defence emergency it’s also in very close proximity to the airport, fire services, the existing hospital, the Events Centre, the High School and Remarkables Primary School, and close to where the conference centre is being built.”

A Queenstown Trails Trust bike and walking trail bordering the north side of the community precinct will connect the precinct to Remarkables Park’s Market Street, and to the Kawarau riverbank trails and further high-density residential to the north.

Mr Porter has been working on the Queenstown Clinic and community centre plans with Skin Institute Queenstown director Dr Hans Raetz.

“We’ve been working on this for a long time and I’m delighted that we are finally at the stage where it is ready to go,” said Dr Raetz.

“It’s the perfect location, extremely centrally located, and great to be clustering medical facilities alongside other major community hubs such as schools, a community centre and other care organisations, high-density residential and the Remarkables Park Town Centre.”

Read More

Masterwood Joinery finalist for prestigious international design award

Masterwood Joinery finalist for prestigious international design award

Cromwell’s Masterwood Joinery is in the running for a prestigious, international design award for a kitchen that has already proved its world-class status. 

The Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID) International Design Awards selected Masterwood’s Queenstown kitchen as a finalist in one of 14 categories from across 48 countries.

Designed by Masterwood’s Stefan Sonntag, the kitchen already claimed five major awards at the recent National Kitchen & Bathroom Association Awards in Melbourne. 

“It’s a huge pat on the back and it feels amazing for the kitchen to be recognised after two years of hard work,” says Stefan.

“The level of detail from start to finish was huge, as we spent the first year just planning. It was a very involved project.”

The kitchen in a Lake Hayes home fuses Oriental and commercial chic to create a beautiful, cohesive space, which flawlessly interpreted the design brief of the owners.

Masterwood General Manager Jim Cleveland said he was speechless, but elated, with news of the accolade.

“To Masterwood, this is what the World Cup is to the All Blacks, putting us up there amongst the best in the world. We’ve already had multiple congratulatory emails and phone calls for making it this far,” he says.

“Masterwood is now recognised as a company of master craftsmen not only in New Zealand, but also on the world scene.”

The awards categories cover all aspects of interior design, including retail, public space, healthcare and well-being, residential, clubs and bars, office spaces and hotels, and finalists come from renowned design practices from around the world.

Finalists were chosen by a technical panel of judges which will account for 70% of marks, while the remaining 30% is via public vote, which Jim is hoping the local Otago community and the wider New Zealand design fraternity will support.

“At last our own little Cromwell is internationally known, punching well above its weight as we do here, it’s the Kiwi way,” he says.

“Please help us succeed by voting for Masterwood in the kitchen and bathroom category and showing the world just what New Zealand can produce. We need your support.”

Clean, straight lines, natural materials and earthy tones set the scene for the stunning kitchen. Heavy-duty powder coated steel box section legs support two islands, with an unapologetically commercial stainless-steel kitchen extractor suspended above the chef’s island.

At one end of the chef’s island is a cantilevered teppanyaki grill mounted in Ceasarstone, an engineered stone that is also the island’s work surface.

A favourite place in the kitchen for the lucky owners is the self-contained coffee-making area with sweeping views that include The Remarkables mountain range.

While many functional elements are hidden behind six-coat Ameron-lacquered soft close doors and panels, the owners were very definite about having as a ‘feature wall’ – in this case an impressive six door glass-fronted display cabinet.

This effectively distracts the eye from two pantry areas, one being a plumbed and fully equipped butler’s pantry. True to the Oriental theme, form and function are in perfect harmony in these pantries.

To get behind Masterwood Joinery head to www.sbidawards.com to vote before Monday September 9 at 5pm (UK time). Winners will be announced in London on October 25.

About the Awards

The SBID International Design Awards are awarded purely on the quality of the design, innovation, aesthetic and value-added to the project.

Each entry undergoes an exhaustive two-tier judging process by panels of leading industry experts for both technical content and aesthetic creativity. evaluating essential elements such as compliance with the brief, budget, health and safety and fit-for-purpose design.

The Public Vote is the final tier of scoring.

Read More

Five Mile Centre- your hub for health and wellness

Queenstown’s Five Mile Centre is something of a one-stop-shop for health and wellness in the district.

People are coming to understand that keeping healthy and feeling good isn’t just about the number of reps they complete at the gym, or what you do or don’t eat for breakfast. A wide-ranging and more holistic approach to health and wellness is key to living long, full and healthy lives, and Five Mile’s got a surprising amount of needs covered.

Starting early

Yes that’s right – get into this while you (or they) are young! Mamas Five Mile Childcare has the perfect space in which to encourage littlies to play, learn, discover and grow. Developing lifelong skills of resilience, problem solving and teaching the ability to adapt helps children learn and develop into academically and emotionally well-balanced individuals.

Need some help?

Talk to the experienced team at Five Mile Pharmacy, where they offer professional healthcare and holistic advice to help maintain and restore wellbeing. They’re also home to a great range of over-the-counter vitamins and supplements, superfoods and natural health products.

Queenstown Natural Health is the district’s leading locally-owned and managed supplier of holistic health products from within New Zealand and overseas. Pop in to have a chat about what’s on the shelves to help with nutrition, fitness and weight loss, skin and hair, stress, detox or muscle ailments.

Get fit and get out there

If you’re into running, rugby, netball, yoga or the great outdoors, our new Stirling Sports and long-standing Rebel Sports stores have all the gear you need to motivate yourself (and your crew). Did you know that outdoor exercise, also known as “green exercise”, is great for the brain, body, and soul? It boosts your energy and gives you your daily dose of vitamin D. Being surrounded by nature changes the physical expression of stress in your body.

If you can’t get out there, then get in to Flex Fitness. With their group fitness classes, high-quality equipment, and nutritional guidance, Flex Fitness consistently provides the most relevant physical exercise, nutrition, and education systems to members to help achieve optimal health.

Fuel the body, feed the soul

There’s a saying that ‘variety is the spice of life’ but not many know that the poem from which that lines comes continues with the line ‘that gives it all its flavour’. Taking that literally, spices are known to have several health benefits – spices make traditional Indian home-cooked food amongst the healthiest meals eaten around the world.

Head into Spice King at Five Mile and breathe in the heady ‘spice of life’ aromas in a store that’s packed with spices not just from India, but all around the world.

All that exercise means expended energy has to be replaced, which is where Five Mile’s popular Tank Juice comes in. Tank’s a New Zealand-owned and family run business focussed on making delicious, healthy and fresh smoothies, juices, salads, and wraps with no added sugars or artificial flavouring.

Hikari Sushi Bar is renowned as a bit of a gem in Five Mile’s foodie offerings – their sushi and meals are as fresh as they come, with plenty of gluten free and vegetarian options. The benefits of Japanese food are well documented, so head on in.

Aches and pains?

Five Mile’s got you sorted if you need a helping hand to fix those aching bones.

Queenstown Health Chiropractic and Physiotherapy has been operated for over 25 years by renowned chiropractor Dr Neki Patel. Its all-round service offers chiropractic, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy services to live life without pain.

Move Physiotherapy has a dedicated team of physiotherapists specialising in helping with acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, sports injuries and persistent pain state to move freely and live a fulfilled life.

Is there a doctor in the house? Mountain Lake Medical offers a wide range of services from general health check-ups to more specific male, female, and childrens’ health services.

Feel good, look good

The way we feel about ourselves on the outside translates to how we feel about ourselves on the inside. For the feel-good factor for the weekend, a special occasion or because you deserve it, Hair on Five Mile and Nail On Five Mile help you feel healthy and look beautiful with internationally-trained hair salon staff focused on stylish hair and colour services and a range of nails, waxing, tanning and beauty services right next door.

Find out more at Five Mile

Read More

Millbrook Resort starts work on $50million development

Four years of planning, appeals, hearings and zone changes have finally come to fruition for Queenstown’s Millbrook Resort. The multi-award-winning resort has been granted resource consent for a $50m development that will see it develop a neighbouring farm into a new golf course interspersed with 42 sections for high-end residential homes. The development will add…

Initial site clearance is underway and, under a separate consent, work has almost been completed on shifting the Arrow Irrigation Pipe to a new location to make way for the development.

Groundworks include a raft of ecological and landscape enhancements, the first land titles should go live in late 2020, and once the new golf course is constructed and ‘grown-in’ it should be playable by 2021.

Millbrook Director of Property and Development Ben O’Malley says the net was cast “far and wide” for project tendering, with the main earthworks contract going to Grant Hood Contracting from Ashburton.

Highly-experienced turf specialist company TIC Golf Projects Ltd has been awarded the main golf course construction project, the same company that developed the resort’s Coronet Nine course, along with a golf course irrigation installation contract.

Millbrook is still working through detailed design on works such as roading, reticulated services and the resort’s distinctive schist stone walls.

In the initial earthworks phase, half a million cubic metres of material will be moved within the site. A ‘zero cut to fill’ balance means all work will be carried out with material contained within the farm area, with topsoil stripped and stored before being re-spread once earthworks are complete.

Mr O’Malley says Millbrook has been working alongside the Friends of Lake Hayes and the Otago Regional Council to support their initiative to discharge off-peak water from the Arrow River irrigation race to Mill Stream (which runs through Millbrook into Lake Hayes).

“They believe this will help enhance the water quality of Lake Hayes and we have the means to provide them the link between the Arrow Irrigation Company pipe and Mill Stream,” he says.

The ORC is part-way through a plan change process that will see a minimum flow placed on the Arrow River, from which Millbrook currently sources its golf irrigation water via the AIC.

The minimum flow process would pose a risk to Millbrook’s golf operations, as it’s sand-based tees and greens, installed to meet international PGA specifications, require daily watering.

“To guard against this risk we’re also constructing a 30million-litre water storage lake on the farm land,” says Mr O’Malley.

The new 36-hole format at Millbrook s been described as a ‘game changer’ for the resort, effectively adding 100% golf capacity with two fully operational 18-hole courses that can be operated simultaneously.

It’s being welcomed by the growing number of Millbrook Country Club members who will be able to play an ever-changing private members’ course on a daily basis, as well as another for tourists and locals.

It’s also good news for the long-term future of the New Zealand Open, currently hosted at Millbrook in conjunction with The Hills golf course.

The Open has always planned to move to a three-course model, similar to international Dunhill Links and AT&T events, and having two courses available at Millbrook would enable this goal to be achieved.

Ben O’Malley says the resort is “ecstatic” to be getting underway with the development.

“It’s been over four years since we first bought the former Dalgleish Farm land with the dream of adding to the resort,” he says.

“There’s been a lot of hard work from our consultants and planning team to get to this point, but now it’s all coming to fruition it’s simply fantastic.”

The land has provided a fantastic opportunity for the golf course team, as well as lending itself to the development of two discretely and geographically-separated residential neighbourhoods.

The large upper plateau contains 24 sites boasting elevated panoramic views over fairways and pastoral lands to the wider basin. The lower slopes are home to a further 18 sites with north-facing outlooks over an enhanced Mill Stream and the last of the stunning new golf holes. Most of the sites are expected to sell for over $1million each.

Parts of Mill Stream will be widened to create larger waterways and enhanced wetlands. The new development will retain a rural, agrarian style with over 20 hectares of working farmland retained for grazing and retention of a historic woolshed.

The original 1860’s farmhouse will also stay on the land, with some sympathetic additions.

Read More

Stunning Queenstown home wins Southern Supreme House of the Year

A Queenstown building company renowned for quality standards in workmanship and ‘ultimate pride in the job’ has struck gold, again. AJ Saville Builder Ltd was named Supreme House of the Year Award winner for a Queenstown home at the Southern Registered Master Builders 2018 House of the Year gala dinner this weekend (Saturday July 21)….

The multi-award-winning company had a second home in the awards, which also won Gold and a GIB Show Home Category awards for a Millbrook Country Club property.

Arrowtown-based owner and founder Allister Saville says the seven awards are testament to the hard work and dedication of his team of over 35 tradesmen, sub-contractors and suppliers.

“It’s a winning result for everyone involved,” he says.

“The immaculate detailing and craftsmanship of the Queenstown home won over the judges, and we’re delighted with the feedback.

“This project was a ‘once in a lifetime’ build for our tradesmen and subbies, delivering a home with this level of bespoke requirements.

“The client, builders and designers all worked in harmony, and it’s demonstrated in the immaculate finish of this four-year build.

“Both projects demonstrate consistency in our work and it’s hugely rewarding for our staff to be recognised for their hard work and quality craftsmanship.”

The substantial 802sqm four bedroom, four-plus bathroom Queenstown home is a collection of different building types, functions, cladding and internal finishes, all centred around a sunny courtyard.

The judges were most impressed with the immaculate detailing of curved glass galleries linking stone buildings to the kitchen, lounge and living areas.

The project was constructed in keeping with historic buildings of the Queenstown Lakes district, using local stone and steep-pitched slate and iron roofs.

The energy-efficient Millbrook Country Club show home, designed by Mason & Wales Architects, exudes modern class and a subtle French feel with all the charm and character of a traditional Central Otago cottage.

Allister says the show home is a timeless design that epitomises the sophisticated rural elegance and character that is world-class Millbrook Resort.

“A show home demonstrates the very best standards in your work and I’m honoured to work in partnership with Millbrook Resort to deliver functional, spacious and energy-efficient homes at the resort,” he says.

A total of 13 Gold Award winners from the southern region will now be judged against Gold Award winners from around the country to identify the National Gold Reserve finalists.

Those finalists will go head to head at the Registered Master Builders Supreme Awards for House of the Year and Renovation of the Year on November 24 in Auckland.

Read More

Remarkables Residences development in Queenstown launches Stage Two

The property market in Queenstown is showing no signs of a slowdown, with the second stage of a $200m residential development being launched this week. The Remarkables Residences townhouse development in the popular Frankton area of Queenstown is launching another 46 homes onto the market, following the successful sell down of all but one of…

Construction is well underway on the first homes, with completion expected in summer 2019. Roughly half of the purchasers have been Queenstown locals who have bought as an investment property or to live in, while the remainder are a mix of Auckland based investors and holiday home owners.

Local realtors Sheryl Williams and Mark Martin from Bayleys Queenstown said buyers saw superb value for money in the homes and loved the configurations of the properties that had flexible living and renting opportunities.

Another 46 terraced homes are available in Stage Two, with prices ranging from just over $1.1million.

The new release properties have slightly different layouts to Stage One, after designers took buyer feedback on board and made the majority of the homes four-bedroom properties with four ensuites.

The development is being driven by GYP Properties Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Singapore public-listed Global Yellow Pages Limited, and marketed by the Bayleys Realty Group.

Bayleys Projects’ General Manager Suzie Wigglesworth said the company was “very pleased” with the successful sell down of Stage One and that construction was underway.

“Remarkables Residences appeals greatly to owner occupiers as well as investors, with functional layouts and a location that provides convenience and accessibility,” she said.

“The annual capital growth in Queenstown continues to rise and the demand for residential properties is still at an all-time high.

“We believe Remarkables Residences offers what buyers are looking for, and its central location with the airport, major ski-fields, retail and dining all a walk or a short drive away makes it highly desirable.

“We’ve already received a high volume of interest in Stage Two and we expect these homes to sell out fairly quickly.”

The development aims to have a vibrant community of owners from all walks of life, from owner-occupiers through to seasonal-based workers.

The Remarkables Residences display suite at Five Mile Centre is open 12pm – 2pm weekdays and 12pm – 3pm Saturday and Sunday. To register interest or request further information go to www.remarkablesresidences.co.nz

About Remarkables Residences

Master-planned and designed by Auckland-based Ignite Architects, these are well-built, stylish and low-maintenance homes that are a very modern interpretation of popular developments of this kind.

Different building forms within each street offer individuality amidst a community, while each residence is thoughtfully designed to optimise sun and natural light. Quality fixtures and fittings are used alongside energy-efficient design elements for year-round comfort.

Green spaces incorporated in the development include a main public square and smaller Pocket Parks throughout the area. There are good links to surrounding biking and walking tracks, as well as easy access to public transport.

Remarkables Residences is in one of the most accessible parts of Queenstown, close to the airport and a very short walk to retail and hospitality outlets. It is just 15 minutes from central Queenstown and Arrowtown, and 30 minutes to ski fields.

Read More

A sustainable alternative – company urges awareness of cedar cladding

Media Release from Abodo Explosive growth in Queenstown’s commercial and residential building sectors has led an innovative New Zealand company to focus its sustainable timber messages on the district. Abodo has been active in the New Zealand market for 16 years, born from a vision to offer an alternative to destroying endangered old-growth forests around…

But Abodo Director Daniel Gudsell says most New Zealanders do not realise that much of the high-grade cedar used across the country is from old-growth trees, which are often aged from 150 up to 2000 years old.

He says the only real way for people to be sure they’re not ordering old timber log exports is to insist on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified timber.

In a bid to offer a sustainable substitute to irreplaceable old growth trees, Abodo harvests its high performance architectural and structural timbers from New Zealand plantation forests, primarily in Rotorua region.

A newly-released Infometrics profile of the Queenstown Lakes district indicates a 20% rise in residential building consents, and 13% rise in non-residential building consents over a 12-month period ending September 2017, compared to a 3% and 5.9% rise respectively elsewhere in New Zealand.

With the continued rapid growth of the district, Mr Gudsell is concerned about the lack of awareness of local alternatives for old-growth cedar.

“The district uses a large amount of imported Canadian cedar cladding, but I’m not sure that people are aware that the Western Red Cedar typically comes from these ancient forests,” he says.

“Just look around and you see it everywhere. From the McDonalds on Frankton Road, to many of the new houses in Jack’s Point and Shotover Country, the cladding is imported Canadian old-growth cedar.

“Our alternative timber cladding is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, is durable in the alpine conditions of Queenstown and Wanaka and has a similar aesthetic to cedar.

“Our unique patented technology ensures our timbers have exceptional weatherability to cope with dry summers and cold, snowy winters.

“By using local plantation timbers you’re not waiting for 250 or 500 years for a new tree to grow, so we’re thinking ahead for future generations.”

From a global perspective, Abodo’s contribution to New Zealand forestry sits in line with the Government’s goal to plant one billion trees between 2018 and 2027.

“It’s fantastic to see the government taking a shift in a better direction. The tree species they’re planning to plant includes radiata pine, redwood, totara, eucalyptus, Douglas fir and mānuka,” says Mr Gudsell.

“Unfortunately, pine isn’t a durable or stable building material as it doesn’t weather well and needs to be chemically-treated before use.

“Ninety-five percent of our New Zealand plantations are already pine and that’s why Western Red Cedar is the largest single species we import, as it’s a durable building material.

“To be sustainable we need to be planting higher volumes of alternative naturally durable species such as eucalyptus, or modifying pine to make it more durable, without toxic chemicals.”

To help generate awareness on a national level, Abodo, along with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), has facilitated the visit of a top forestry specialist from Canada to New Zealand to speak at two high-profile industry events.

Ken Wu has been working to protect the old-growth forests of British Columbia for over 26 years and is in New Zealand this week in his capacity as executive director of the Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA).

The AFA is a British Columbian organisation working to protect its endangered old-growth forests and to ensure sustainable forestry jobs in the province.

Previously unaware that New Zealand had been importing large volumes of old-growth Western Red Cedar from B.C., Ken was delighted to accept the invitation.

“Unless it’s coming from an FSC source, old-growth Western Red Cedar logging is very destructive,” says Ken.

“It’s not only a big issue from an ecological perspective, but also economically and culturally, damaging the climate and our tourism.

“Our ancient forests inspire wonder and awe in visitors from around the globe. We have some of the largest trees you’ve ever seen, growing as tall as skyscrapers and as wide as homes. They’re truly spectacular.

“We’re calling on the British Columbian government to expand protection of old-growth forests and it’s fantastic to see a New Zealand company like Abodo help create awareness of the issue and educate its building industry.”

Read More

TESTIMONIALS