They’re two out of 10 villas, plus a central facilities building, that make up the $130 million development currently unfolding below the commonly-owned Kamana Lakehouse hotel in Fernhill.
The villas, including 37 keys, incorporate high-end finishes like spas and plunge pools, wine cellars, gyms, saunas and home theatres.
Noctis by Kamana project manager Richard Hiles-Smith says while these luxury residences are unique in NZ, "offshore this is just completely normal".
Though the project’s not due for completion till mid-to-late next year, the first villas were finished in February so any refinements can be made before the rest are rolled out — the next will be ready in about August.
When work started two years ago, a lot of time went on forming levels so each villa had views above those below.
The major challenges, Hiles-Smith says, are logistics on a tight site and resource.
"You just can’t get enough labour in Queenstown, we could probably do with another 30 to 40 people on-site" — there are currently about 100 to 110.
One villa’s the 1200sq m 10-bedroomed Presidential Penthouse looking out towards the Remarkables mountains.
An amenities building, including a designer kitchen, day spa and wellness facilities and an infinity pool, will be about the last building completed.
"That dictates quite a lot because all our central systems like fire sprinkler systems, main switchboards, they’re all based there," Hiles-Smith says.
Despite its impressive size, he notes the development’s not designed to look like a big commercial building.
"If someone looks up from Aspen Grove, it’s going to look like individual houses."
