- A Kiwi film-maker is selling his five-bedroom Queenstown retreat, known for its stunning visuals.
- The property, designed by Fred van Brandenburg, features expansive living areas and a heated pool.
- Bayleys agent Sarah McBride describes it as a “standout residence” with lake and mountain views.
A Kiwi film-maker who has worked on some of Hollywood’s biggest movies is selling his Queenstown sanctuary.
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The film-maker, who wishes to remain private, has lent his camera and directing skills to Sir Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings epics and several Marvel superhero movies, including the Avengers and Spiderman.
His eye for stunning visuals can be seen in his five-bedroom retreat at 13 Loop Road in Kelvin Heights. The landscaped 1563sqm estate is nestled at the foot of the mountains and enjoys one of the widest lake frontages in Kelvin Heights.
But the property hasn’t always looked like this, with the site previously occupied by a modest 1980s bach.
The property overlooks Lake Wakatipu. Photo / Supplied
“It was perfect for the kids. It had an old Para pool that used to freeze over in the winter, and the kids would have competitions to see who could swim the farthest under the ice. The record was four lengths,” the Auckland-born film-maker told OneRoof.
Living in the original home for so long allowed the family to work on their plans for a new one. They called on their friend, Fred van Brandenburg, to work on the design.
“He’s an internationally acclaimed architect but also a good family friend. He said, ‘This is such a fabulous spot, I don’t want anyone else to mess it up!’
“We said to him, ‘We’re living in the mountains, but we want a beach house on the lake’, and that’s what we created.”
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The film-maker told OneRoof he had a home in Palm Springs for several years and enjoyed mid-century modern design. Van Brandenburg brought that aesthetic to the project. “Fred is wonderful at space, glass, and views, so we have all these open areas that are a lot of fun to live in,” he said.
Expansive living, dining, and entertaining zones envelop the heated swimming pool complex – a stunning upgrade from the Para – and the separate pool studio provides space to work, relax, or accommodate guests privately.
Of the remaining bedrooms, the master is magnificent, suspended above the lake, with spacious wardrobes, an opulent ensuite, and uninterrupted views.
The aspect is another huge bonus. “Because we face straight north, even in August we can have the house open and walk around in a T-shirt,” the owner told OneRoof.
The pad has been pitched as an "absolute standout residence" in Queenstown. Photo / Supplied
Space and light are important aspects of the design. Photo / Supplied
“You have to remember to put something warm on when you go into town because you’re so used to living like that - it’s hard to explain to people how important the sun can be in Queenstown.”
The owner loved the way the property grew with his family. “The kids grew up there and went school there, but now they’re off doing their own things, and we’ve got to a different stage of life in that we don’t fill it up as much as we used to,” he said.
“Queenstown has evolved so much over the past 30 years. It’s wonderful now, there are international flights and direct flights to Australia.
“It’s a unique part of the country and unique part of the world.”
He added: “The boat sits in the lake 70% of the year if I’m home, and we’ll use it to go into town for dinner. I’m in the lake all the time boating and foiling. I also do long-distance swimming in my wetsuit, and as I’m going over deeper water, I often think, if I were in the sea, I’d be watching every shadow!
“We’re very spoilt - the lifestyle is extraordinary, both summer and winter.”
Bayleys agent Sarah McBride, who is marketing the property with colleague Sarena Glass, said it was an “absolute standout residence that epitomises lakeside living here in Queenstown”.
“It offers an abundance of sunshine, beautiful lake and mountain views, a direct connection to the walking trail right at the end of the lawn and your own jetty, allowing you to head out onto the lake when you feel like it.”
“From inside the home, you sit suspended over the lake, and the established grounds provide such a special private setting. This an incredible opportunity to secure a legacy property in one of Kelvin Heights’ largest waterfront locations.”
- 13 Loop Road, Kelvin Heights, Queenstown-Lakes, is for sale by negotiation
