It is the result of a late change in the design of the long-awaited $85 million Marina Terrace development in Lakeside Rd, above the Wanaka Marina.
Matt Tuck, of Multiplied Investment Partners, who is managing the project, told the Otago Daily Times this week sales contracts had been signed for 33 of the 44 planned apartments, and construction would begin in July.
The $5.3million penthouse apartment linked two standard penthouse apartments together, Mr Tuck said.
"We've taken apartments 33 and 36 at the top of the final building we build, and we are holding that back as a single 300sqm sort of super-penthouse.''
It would have up to six bedrooms and the buyer would have input into its design and layout, he said.
"We've had a couple of people roll through town already and unless they could buy the absolute premier position in the complex they weren't that interested.''
The remainder of the apartments for sale have price tags of between $1.7 million and $2.5 million.
In June last year, the ODT reported the apartments were on the market at between $1 million and $2 million, and seven were under contract at that stage.
Mr Tuck said the 22 consultants engaged on the project were checking the plans "to make sure they hadn't missed anything'', before they were lodged with the Queenstown Lakes District Council for building consent.
He expected the council to have the plans by the end of the month and construction work to start in July, Mr Tuck said.
He had considered holding off until spring but the construction experts on the job considered so much concrete was being poured the cold winter temperatures would not be a problem.
The project was begun by Infinity Investment Group founder the late Bob Robertson, and the cornerstone investor in the current project is one of his friends, Wanaka businessman Peter Marshall.
Mr Marshall said yesterday there was some satisfaction from finishing a project Mr Robertson started.
"If Bob hadn't died, he would be doing it.''
The apartment complex will include a restaurant, private pool and gym.
Breen Construction Ltd, of Alexandra, and Dominion Constructors Ltd, of Auckland, have the contract to build the complex.
