Peninsula Hill Development

Client

The Peninsula Hill development is associated with notable individuals recognised by many Queenstowners, namely Mike Mee and Liz Dickson. They are the children of Frank Mee, who acquired Peninsula Hill through the purchase of Kawarau Falls Station in 1960.

In addition to its captivating historical background encompassing farming and the renowned Deer Park Heights animal farm, Peninsula Hill boasts a remarkable natural landscape characterised by north-facing sloping contours on the edge of Lake Whakatipu. This distinctive terrain offers potential buyers the opportunity to seamlessly integrate their residences into the surroundings, ensuring breathtaking views and optimal privacy.

With previous recommendations placed forward by the Bonisch team, Mike felt that we understood his vision for the development and that we would be the best team to bring this vision to life.

Challenge

Bonisch was commissioned to undertake a comprehensive master planning project encompassing the residential zoning of the entire site. From its inception, the project has fostered a collaborative approach, gradually evolving from a master plan to a developed design concept centered around eco-living principles. Throughout the process, paramount importance has been given to upholding the sanctity of the landscape and the environment, resulting in multiple iterations and refinements of the design to ensure the preservation of these core values.

The overarching vision was to realise a prestigious subdivision that upholds uncompromising design standards while demonstrating a steadfast commitment to respecting and safeguarding the natural surroundings upon which it would be built.

Create

The steep topography has proven to be challenging. From building pad level designs, stormwater pathway challenges, and protection of waterways and (wetlands) – every effort has been taken to consider the environment and to optimise the land. The complexity of this project has been substantial.

Driven by a shared vision for the site, the Bonisch team collaborated closely with Mike, as well as the specialised teams at Baxter Design and Studio Pacific Architecture, to meticulously masterplan the development of this exceptional parcel of land.

The initial phase, known as Stage Two (Karearea), will witness the introduction of 17 carefully curated sites that boast breathtaking vistas of the lake and mountains. Every site has undergone meticulous planning to guarantee unobstructed views, necessitating extensive earthwork operations and unwavering dedication to bringing this vision to fruition.

Solve

This collaborative project has yielded a prestigious development encompassing multi-million dollar sections, ranging from a minimum size of 1000 square meters to sites in excess of 3,694 square meters. Distinguished by its complexity and meticulous attention to detail, this project stands apart from anything else in the Southland / Central Otago regions.

The construction of Stage Two is projected to conclude by the end of this year, while Stages Three - Seven, comprising 67 lots, will be completed in a phased manner from 2024. Earthwork preparations for Stage Three are scheduled to commence this summer, with a concerted effort to achieve completion by mid-2025.

Peninsula Hill represents an unparalleled offering on Queenstown's Kelvin Peninsula. This premium residential subdivision will ultimately encompass an array of high-end neighborhoods and a village precinct.

Anticipation for Peninsula Hill is exceptionally high, owing to the scarcity of large, sunlit sites near Lake Whakatipu. Upholding the visual appeal of Kelvin Heights has been of paramount importance throughout the project's development.

Project Details

Name of the project: Peninsula Hill Development
Completed: Ongoing
Location: Kelvin Heights, Queenstown
Project value: $ 150 million
Project lead: Glenn O’Connor, Director
Project team: Boyd Wilson, Simon Collie, Brad Sayer, Christine McMillan and Graeme Crouchley