Celebrating Cromwell’s first cover of QT Magazine, we are thrilled to have Wooing Tree Estate grace the cover of the Spring Issue for 2021. Check out Jenny McLeod’s take on Cromwell as Central Otago’s leading lifestyle destination, and how Wooing Tree Estate plays a major role in this progress.
By Jenny McLeod
Cromwell is making an impression as Central Otago’s leading lifestyle destination and Wooing Tree Estate has responded to the demand from all over New Zealand for a quality place to live by creating a diverse neighbourhood community at the heart of the fast-growing town.
Wooing Tree Estate, which will ultimately provide 360 sites, is being developed on the high-profile Wooing Tree vineyard spearheaded by Veros Property who assembled an investment and development team to help vineyard owners Steve and Thea Farquharson achieve their plan for a boutique, vineyard-style development.
Veros’ Senior Development Manager Sean Haynes says the company has a reputation for its residential and commercial projects throughout New Zealand which include extensive subdivisions, retail and education facilities and apartment complexes.
He is upbeat about playing a part in Cromwell’s progress.
“Our vision for the development has been to deliver a comprehensive, high-quality new neighbourhood that provides real appeal for those who call Cromwell home. We really saw an opportunity to provide a truly masterplanned development with high-quality landscaping and finishing that supplement the wonderful natural amenity of this unique location. It has proven an excellent formula with so many people attracted to this stunning location backdropped by the Pisa Range and its proximity to Lake Dunstan, cycle trails, wineries, Cromwell town centre and other attractions and activities.”
The 25-hectare site has been sensitively developed with the expertise of Queenstown landscape architect Paddy Baxter of Baxter Design as master planners who have put together a package of bespoke urban design and housing controls that are sure to lift the bar in terms of quality in Cromwell. It will be a diverse neighbourhood with a range of housing options and supporting open space and greenways, which are synonymous with Cromwell.
While some vines have been retained as part of the overall design many have been transplanted to the new Wooing Tree vineyard site close by. “We’re really pleased to be able to continue to grow and produce the Wooing Tree Vineyard’s award winning wine on-site from the remaining vines and to create a new cellar door and boutique hospitality facility which will be a focal point of the estate,” says Mr Haynes.
Along with reserve areas and a central greenways there will be cycle trails and dedicated space for the vineyard throughout the subdivision. A feature is the imposing centrally located tree from which the vineyard takes its name. History has it that over the years this was the place where lovers met and wooed each other and it will sit within a 2,000m2 public park at the book-end of the estate’s central greenway reserve.
The first residential stage is now complete with the first residents beginning their builds. Stage two, comprising 120 sections, has sold-out while the 100-section stage three has recently been released with price tags starting at $270,000 The fourth stage, which will continue to expand on the mix of housing choices will follow in 2022.
“There is a diverse mix of section and housing choice and specific guidelines for both the development and the homes built here to ensure a high level of quality and design across all price points. Many of our purchasers are locals and range from young families to retirees. It’s really exciting to see some are first home buyers taking advantage of house and land packages including people from other parts of the country, along with expats, looking to shift to the region” says Mr Haynes.
“Mostly people relocating to Cromwell are attracted by the lifestyle and we’ve noticed a shift in peoples attitudes to where they live, work and play since last year. It’s not hard to see why Cromwell is proving so attractive to people who enjoy the outdoors with options including skiing, boating, fishing and, riding on the highly rated Lake Dunstan trail and the many other cycleways or playing golf nearby. With Cromwell now such a high growth area and the potential to be even more of a significant Central Otago hub it is becoming a destination of choice for many.”
