Wanaka lodge with a Nordic feel

An artist's impression of the lodge being built at 67 Brownston St, Wanaka. Photo / Supplied

JLL is marketing a new tourism lodge, now being built in the heart of the Wanaka commercial district.

Expected to be up and running in November, the 33-room lodge is for sale through an international tender process, closing July 3. The lodge is being built on a 1012sqm freehold site at 67 Brownston Street, which JLL agent John Binning says it's the last vacant commercial-zoned land in the region.

The owners, B Property Group, have identified a niche market for a uniquely designed lodge, says Binning.

The contemporary tourism lodge, which will operate under a longterm lease to B Hotel Group, includes an on-site cafe and wine bar.

"This is in a fabulous location, right in the heart of the Wanaka commercial district and just one-minute walk to the lakefront," he says. "This tourism lodge concept fits with a natural New Zealand experience, one of the key reasons tourists flock to areas like Queenstown and Wanaka."

Rental from the freehold property is to be $660,000 per annum net, with fixed increases every two years over the first 10-year term.

The lodge will be designed as accommodation pods where extensive landscaping and high quality, kiwi-style designer pods provide visitors with a stay accentuating natural elements of the Wanaka region.

A drawing of the soon to be built common room, showing off natural elements of the lakes district. Photo / Supplied

"Design and layout is based on The Atlantic, an award winning hotel in Byron Bay, Australia, where accommodation is made up of private luxury and open communal spaces. The difference being, the Wanaka property will come with a more Nordic and mountain feel, fitting for its location," says Binning.

It's clear New Zealand is experiencing a tourism boom and the township of Wanaka is no exception, he says.

"With tourists visiting in both the winter and summer months, Wanaka accommodation is always in high demand."

Hotel occupancy in Wanaka has increased by almost 20 per cent to 64.7 per cent over the past three years, Binning points out.

A drawing of a lodge bedroom shows strong similarity to design values employed in Scandinavia. Photo / Supplied

JLL National Research Manager, Tom Barclay says Wanaka appeals as a more low-key, less expensive alternative to Queenstown. Major developments planned there will lead to population growth and improved amenities and services for the area, says Barclay.

"The Queenstown Lakes district captures 10.1 per cent of all visitor expenditure in New Zealand with the total tourism spend for the year to January 2017 being $2,557,000," says Binning.

"Wanaka is well established in the Queenstown-Lakes tourism market and rapidly growing in tourism, residents, businesses and development. This property will draw visitors for design and concept alone."