The Five Mile Villa project was officially opened and 230 potential buyers and realtors gathered to see the site and, for some, perhaps their future.
The site is being developed by Gibbons and Co.
The development is located in Hall St — near the Five Mile Shopping Centre in Frankton. It will have 226 double-storey, two-bedroom houses which have a starting price of $854,000.
Gibbons and Co owner Kurt Gibbons said he expected the final consent for the project to come through by the end of this week, meaning contractors would be able to start work next month.
It was hoped 63 homes would be completed by Christmas.
The development of the project happened at pace, Mr Gibbons said
"The idea for the project had been planned down to every nail since last year, so getting hold of the land at the start of this year has made for a quick process," he said.
Working closely with the Queenstown Lakes District Council on the project, Mr Gibbons said the council had been great so far and expected that to continue.
Formerly an Auckland resident, Mr Gibbons and his family relocated to Queenstown — for what was supposed to be a brief period — while his Auckland home was being renovated.
But the family fell in love with Queenstown.
"We just couldn’t move back to Auckland after being here. I think Queenstown is the best place in New Zealand, and the planet."
"I am not an out-of-towner trying to make a quick buck.
"I am passionate that what we deliver in Queenstown is beneficial for Queenstown."
The development has sparked a lot of interest with investors and first home buyers so far, due to the rarity of finding a stand-alone home in Queenstown for under $1 million.
Mr Gibbons said he had businesses looking at long-term leases and even buying some of the properties, to be used as staff accommodation.
