Wanaka’s new lifestyle village on Mount Aspiring Road, opposite Wanaka Station Park, is gradually taking shape. Major earthworks across the 1.5ha site are ongoing but completion of construction of the first residential block is anticipated by April 2019.

The lifestyle village comprising 73 units, mostly single-level adjoining townhouses, or two story apartments and duplexes, will be built in six stages and is expected to be complete within four to five years.

Designed by Auckland-based Hume Architects, the homes will be a mix of stained cedar and larch weatherboard, schist and plaster cladding, long-run roofing, cedar pergolas and trellises, exposed roof beams, aluminium joinery with thermal break and double-glazed windows.

Cedar and schist exteriors provide a very natural feel to the village.

Each homeowner will be given the opportunity to choose from one of three design schemes presented by interior design company Yellowfox. Each unit with have a gas fireplace with schist stone surround, engineered stone kitchen benches, floor to ceiling bathroom tiling, custom designed cabinetry and vanities and frameless glass showers.

The units have open plan kitchen and living areas, two bedrooms, and one or two bathrooms, and some have additional space either in the form of a study or loft.

They vary in size from the single-story townhouses at 115m2 or 151m2 (including garage), to duplex units (four units to a block, two downstairs, two above) at 103m2 and the apartments with patios at 129m2.

The largest block has six apartments, three at ground level and three above with access provided by stairs and and internal elevator.

In addition to the homes, there will be a centrally located clubhouse for residential use which will provide a communal kitchen, lounge and bar, as well as and outdoor fire, patio seating and BBQ, a small gymnasium with spa and sauna, a 14 seat theatrette and a mini meeting room.

Engineered hardwood flooring and schist fireplace surrounds enhance the clean lines and durability of the interior design.

The landscaping of the sloping site is designed to soften the density of the village with shrubs and deciduous trees making it blend more easily with the neighbouring properties.

Stoney Creek bisects the property and it will be redesigned not only to meet the flood-proofing standards required under the consent but also to create a significant landscaping feature.

Roys Bay Estate is registered, and will operate under the provisions of the Retirement Villages Act 2003 and residents enter into an Occupation Right Agreement for their unit entitling them to protected rights to their unit and the wider village.

Unlike most retirement villages, however, each resident will own their dwelling and the fee simple (freehold) title to the land on which their house sits, and are entitled to the capital gain on the re-sale of the unit.

PHOTOS: Supplied