The diggers are on site and the first ‘sod’ has been turned in order to get the initial landscaping including 309,000 plants in place before Winter arrives in what is expected to be one of the most exclusive wilderness lodge experiences in New Zealand.
The lakeside Walter Peak development adjourning Queenstown’s 27,000 hectare Walter Peak Station is a one-off 38 hectare project which took seven years of consultation to get to the market along with lodge consent. Launched late last year the sale was confirmed 28 April with buyer Rod Nielsen (who has also developed the Heritage Villas attached to the Queenstown Heritage Hotel), keen to bring to fruition the original vision for the land as an exclusive lodge providing top end wilderness experience including access to the recreational opportunities offered by the neighbouring station.
Mr Nielsen plans to retain the yet to be built cottages and lodge to run as an exclusive high country luxury getaway. Along with the landscaping which has a strong focus on ecological restoration including a strong revegetation programme, he has already received interest for the eight individual exclusive homestead sites which will have full access to lodge and recreational facilities.
Warwick Osborne from Harcourts Queenstown, who negotiated the sale of the lodge site, is marketing the homestead sites and said he had already received early interest prior to the marketing campaign. With an expected price range of around $2.5-$3.5 million per site one potential owner had already completed plans for a holiday home valued in excess of $6 million. Former world No. 6 tennis star, South African Wayne Ferreira has been quick to purchase a site. Mr Osborne confirmed he is dealing with other high profile buying interest.
With a two hour drive to Queenstown, and access by helicopter or boat, Mr Osborne said, “The uniqueness is in the location with no other developments anywhere near here.” With a strong client base of overseas buyers including ‘ex-pats’ and many involved in international banking Mr Osborne said, “Queenstown is seen as a unique global resort and with only eight sites available, this development will retain its uniqueness and isolated feel. Where else in the world could you get this.”
