Queenstown: Southern Belle Lakeside luxury

By CHARLOTTE COSSAR.

* It is estimated that during the next 18 months to two years 900 apartments will be built in the area.

* The median value for a dwelling in June 1999 was $225,000, and in May 2004 it was $480,000 - a 113% increase.

A destination of choice for many international visitors as well as locals, Queenstown's luxury apartments are fast becoming some of the most beautiful homes in New Zealand. Decked out to the highest of standards and dripping in designer luxury, these homes are highly sought-after, and with such spectacular views and an adventure playground at your doorstep, it's not hard to understand why.

After finishing the three-year project of developing and building The Woods Luxury Villas in Queenstown, developer Derek Brown has teamed with an old friend who owned this prime 750sq m site in Lake St - with jaw-dropping views of the lake and mountain - to create two stunning apartments that combine opulent comfort and exquisite living.

"As soon as I walked onto the site, I knew this was the one," says Brown. "I have lived in Queenstown all my life. My family has been involved in Queenstown real estate and property development for many years and this was one of those little gems of a site that is never available for sale, yet everyone would die for it. It is in one of Queenstown's most perfect locations being just 100m from the Earnslaw wharf with picture postcard views across Queenstown Bay to the Remarkables mountain range."

With such a spectacular site, it was important the dwellings constructed should epitomise the unique location, so careful thought and consideration was employed long before building commenced. "We looked at designing three apartments, but then decided against that as to do what we envisaged would not do the site justice," says Brown.

Surrounded by 10 or 12 large old trees located perfectly towards the boundaries, a 2.5m high stone wall encases the two three-level identical dark black/green apartments with their striking stone chimneys.

With 360sq m of living space, the floor plans offer voluminous spaces at every turn and include three bedrooms, a study, an en suite in every bedroom, a lap pool, large living areas, a wine cellar and generous double garaging.

Inside, interior designer Jewell Cassells of Cassells Green was given a free hand to fit-out and furnish the swanky apartments - stunning materials were sought and an abundance of tradespeople were employed to work on the project for months.

Says Brown: "We wanted to use more local materials, such as stone and Southland beech, giving more of an alpine atmosphere of warmth and solidity, yet offering something unique to this area.

"The design was more like a fine wine maturing and ageing as we went along. It wasn't particularly fast construction, but more a process of each room being an achievement in its own right.

"There was a huge amount of wood panelling (real wood that is) on the walls and ceilings that required the builders to be more like craftsmen than tradesmen. Every corner and negative detailing in every room was designed on the spot and as it was being put on, to ensure it fitted perfectly with the room."

Through a floor-to-ceiling, dark-stained cedar door, an entrance hallway with a pebble paved floor leads visitors on an exciting journey of sumptuous spaces beautifully complemented by stunning furniture and artwork and opulent fittings and fixtures.

"We had a number of furniture items designed and built locally for us," says Brown, "including a solid oak dining table from a 100-year-old tree that used to hang over Frankton Rd. We wanted to create a local feeling of attachment to the whole experience of living in this apartment."

Trips to south-west Fiordland where vast quantities of Southland beech were procured, months of stone masons building boundary walls and chimneys and two joinery companies working for almost a year has culminated in the finished product - and this has been well worth waiting for, says Brown.

"It has taken a year and a half from the start of construction to finish one apartment. The other is still a few months off. We made a point of not allowing anybody to go through them over the past few months during the finishing process to ensure they appreciate the finished product.

"When you look out the windows, the views just immerse you. It feels like you can reach out and touch the Remarkables. Every room creates a new sensation that wants you to keep moving from room to room to see what lies ahead, yet at the same time you want to gradually savour everything the room has to offer. To show someone through the apartment seems to take forever, they just don't want the experience to end."

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: Cnr Lake and Man St, Queenstown.

FEATURES: Luxury apartment on three floors with views of the lake; three bedrooms; three en suites; open-plan living and dining area; large entrance area; kitchen with Smeg appliances; library/study; laundry; additional guest bathroom; large walk-in wardrobes; wine cellar; substantial storage; double secure garage; outdoor private courtyard; balcony; heated lap pool; landscaped gardens; hi-tech entertainment and security systems; underfloor heating; exceptional furniture and artwork.

SIZE: Floor area 360sq m, including garaging, excluding balcony, courtyard and pool.

PRICE: $2.8 million (including GST).

AGENT: Sarah Stewart, Belle Property, Queenstown. Ph 03 442 9000 bus; 021 790 156 mob.