Rubix has been engaged to assist the University to develop a retreat for educational purposes located at Homestead Bay on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. The facility is being developed around the existing historic Homestead Farmhouse and surrounds which were donated by the Jardine family to the University.
Historical and Cultural
Rubix was engaged because of our experience in accommodation, educational and cultural facilities as well as our deep understanding of the local context and the consenting challenges ahead.
The facility will be used by the University and its staff for academic retreats, conferences and to host events as well as private bookings, such as weddings or bookings of the visitor accommodations units.
The proposal entails the redevelopment of the existing residential dwelling, the Woolshed, to provide a range of public spaces for use by those attending events at the facility, and private spaces for use by University staff. The existing Shearers’ Quarters will be demolished to make way for the Hākitekura lecture theatre, for a maximum of 120 people. Development also includes sixteen self-contained visitor accommodation units to the east of the Woolshed, as well as a three-bedroom residential unit for University staff. The logistics around infrastructure support structures / facilities are also proposed.
Rubix is currently overseeing the Resource Consent process and then we will hopefully move to design development.
Points of interest
- The old Woolshed has historical references to William Rees a founding member of Queenstown.
- Conversion of the old Woolshed into fully functional commercial space.
- Proximity to the water front and an historical wharf on the Lake Wakatipu where the Earnslaw used to deliver stock in the past.
