Through Bridesdale Farm Developments Ltd, local developer Chris Meehan is selling 24.4768 hectares, off Alec Robins Rd.
It’s the rural component of his Bridesdale Farm subdivision adjoining Lake Hayes Estate that went to market nine years ago, as the first local ‘special housing area’, with sections from as little as about $190,000 a pop.
"It’s just rare to find such a big piece of land so close to town," Meehan says.
Marketed as Kawarau View, the property comprises four lots, including the main 16.8ha parcel, but it’s for sale in its entirety.
"You’ve got that beautiful Hayes Creek running through it, and swimming holes, it’s gorgeous".
Some 600 to 700 metres of the block fronts onto the Kawarau River.
One 1000sqm building platform, facing northwest, was recently approved.
Meehan says he tried to subdivide off about 11 lots, off Hayes Creek Rd, but was knocked back.
"We think it’s probably able to be resurrected, but maybe it’s better for someone else to do it.
"We put enough services into the road to take another 12 lots.
"We’ve benched the lots and geoteched them and everything, so all that’s left is to get them consented."
Aside from some subdivision potential, Meehan suggests there could be a variety of possible uses, such as equestrian facilities, horticulture or farming, "or just a lifestyle block".
"Or someone may have a business that can run there on all that wide open space.
"People have uses for land you’ve never thought of, so you can never second guess what someone might use it for."
Just one home’s on the property at the moment.
Bayleys Queenstown agents Jimmy Allen, Jess Coburn and Phoebe Swale are marketing the property with a deadline sale of August 16.
Meehan says "we’re expecting somewhere between $3million and $4m", in line with a valuation he’s got.
Allen says they’ve already had quite a bit of interest.
"We haven’t had a huge amount of price feedback because it hasn’t been on the market very long, but I think most people are thinking over sort of $3m."
Like Meehan, he thinks a new buyer would have a wide range of options.
He thinks there’s a "high possibility" you could get four to six sections approved close to Bridesdale Farm.
"It wouldn’t impede on the rest of the property at all."
Allen also has a personal interest in the land as his family used to farm it.
"We originally had our Charolais [cattle] stud on it.
"Dad and I, when we were on the main farm down south, used to fly up in his plane and land in front of what is now the residential subdivision, and crutch and dag all the sheep and then drench them and then fly home."
