Waimarino Luxury Lodge
12 minute drive from Queenstown, here is a brand new exquisite and sustainable property development on the shores of Lake Wakatipu: the Waimarino Luxury Lodge. A premiere of its kinds in New Zealand.
If you are looking for a place to disappear into your village but also connect with nature, the Waimarino Lodge is the right place to add to your bucket list.
The architectural project is signed by Design Base Architects. The high-end accommodation aspires to create a sustainable destination and an eco-conscious property that connects with nature through villas topped with living roofs.
Waimarino – Maori for Still Waters – aims to be a modern, minimalist luxury that reimagines traditional hunting style lodges dotted across New Zealand.
The location
Most of the Wakatipu basin was carved out by glacial movement but the tranquil waters of Bob’s Cove owe their existence to an ancient sea, a shallow body of water known as the Moonlight Sea that penetrated from the southwest as far as the Wakatipu.
Bob’s Cove - Te Punatapu (The Sacred Waters or Still Waters), has long been a favourite for locals who want a short walk. The track is approximately a 20 minute walk one way with stunning views over Lake Wakatipu. It is named for Captain Bob Fortune, who sheltered in the harbour in bad weather when shipping timber between Queenstown and Glenorchy in the early 19th century; before that it was used by Maori as a campsite on the pounamu trail to the head of the lake. It is historic, spiritual and, like many places in this part of NZ, so beautiful it takes your breath away.
The steamship Earnslaw (above), commissioned in 1912, maintained a regular service to Glenorchy and Bob’s Cove was a popular stop. Picnickers would spend the day there.
The facilities
Whilst the lodge seeks to provide warmth, comfort and shelter it also aims to remind guests about some of life’s simple pleasures like our health, freshly picked produce from the garden, clean lake water, and most importantly clean air. The developers seek to develop this land in a manner that enhances it for generations to come.
The site encompasses 12 Villas; 12 Premium Villas; 4 Bedroom Owners residence; Spa and yoga studio; Guest lounge; restaurant and bar; distillery (picture below); managers residence & reception; car park; micro orchard and kitchen garden.
The Design
Each villa will feature high-end fixtures, one-point sound systems, retractable cinema screens and more. Guests can experience a garden to table experience with access to the onsite vegetable garden and micro-orchard.
To this, add an 1800mm outdoor sunken deck bath, a dual head shower with 180 degree views of the late, an outdoor copper rainwater shower, an indoor and outdoor fireplace as well as daybed for star gazing. To protect your privacy, a one-way dark glazed glass is part of the features.
Sustainability
The lodge takes sustainability seriously to treat and interact with its environment.
All development decisions from initial planning through to the daily servicing have been made with the aim to minimise the eco-footprint. Powered by sustainable off-grid technology, the design features modular, pre-fabricated builds placed into the environment by crane.
Waimarino has a “Carbon Neutral” mandate with effective actions including:
No VOC natural paints.
Accoya timber that uses no chemicals in its treatment process
Prefabricated construction to reduces construction waste
Thermally broken aluminium joinery
Full life cycle assessment of materials from creation through to being returned to the earth
Green roofs to reduce heating use / cost
All facilities are powered by solar power - Rain and lake water use
On site waste disposal and composting and vegetable garden and orchard
Locally sourced meats and fish
No single use plastic - Chemical free soaps and toiletries
Electronic vehicles and bikes
An investment opportunity open to off-shore residents
Set to open in late 2022, Waimarino is an offering that the developers believe will make the industry sit up and realise just how far behind the eight ball they are. But by the time they’ve caught up, Waimarino will be another 10 steps ahead.
Here is what is offered: 5.6% rental return, 10% Fixed rent growth, 15 Year lease term. No outgoing costs.
Of course, you can also simply plan to visit, relax and enjoy as a visiting guest.
This article is not linked to a commercial agreement between the property developers and myself. I normally do not post features with a lot of renders, this one is an exception.
