Ngai Tahu plans $25m Queenstown project

By Chris Hutching

Friday 31st May 2002

MIXED USE: The proposed development

Ngai Tahu Properties is lodging resource consents for a $25 million redevelopment of a key central Queenstown site but it will be built in stages according to tenant demand.

Ngai Tahu property developer Tony Osborne said it was too early to approach potential tenants but he envisaged a mixed use of retail, offices and maybe accommodation on the property bounded by Camp, Ballarat and Stanley Sts and next to the historic courthouse.

Ngai Tahu Properties is seeking consents that will allow it to develop the precinct in stages over the next seven years.

The design comprises five three-level buildings dissected by pathways, and Horne Creek will be landscaped, according to a plan by landscape architect Paddy Baxter, who has worked on the scheme for a couple of years. The project architect is Michael Wyatt, designer of other landmark buildings in the town such as the Steamer Wharf building on the waterfront.

It is unclear if the development will require public notification because it appears to comply with the district plan height restrictions and rules allowing 80% coverage of a site. The five buildings would cover 67% of the 4365sq m site, requiring demolition of the Pig & Whistle pub and Joe's Garage café and the Post Office. The Historic Places Trust is understood to be concerned about the visual effect on the old courthouse. But the Ngai Tahu buildings will make extensive use of local schist building material.

Ngai Tahu recently freed up funds for new developments after one of Queenstown's biggest commercial sales earlier this month of Queenstown Medical Centre to investor Eamon Cleary for about $6 million. Ngai Tahu Properties developed and leased the medical centre last year. The tribe also owns the adjoining police station site and has other properties around the Wakatipu Basin.

The Queenstown property market continues to set new records, with the number of monthly sales topping 100 compared with previous highs of around 90 a month.

Some high-profile businessmen such as Dunedin sharebroker Eion Edgar are building new homes, with up to 12 new residences worth more than $1 million under construction and a couple set to top $2 million, according to local newspaper Mountain Scene.

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