The developers of a proposed new restaurant in the scenic Queenstown suburb of Kelvin Heights are calling for expressions of interest from proven, innovative, and dynamic restaurateurs or chefs that are interested in leasing the property.

The 120-seat restaurant, which will soon be submitted for resource consent, will be located on a 4,700sq m site on Peninsula Road as part of the Peninsula Hill subdivision, near the entrance to Deer Park Heights, a popular tourist attraction.

It is the intention of the developer to provide a destination restaurant for the wider Queenstown area to serve visitors, the local community, and future Peninsula Hill dwellers.

Concept plans for the restaurant envisage a building that will measure 258sq m with year-round seating and a private function area, all in a relaxed and tranquil setting.

Start your property search

Find your dream home today.
Search

While the plans for the restaurant have been laid out, there is scope for the incoming tenant to work with the landlord around individual fixtures and elements of the fit-out.

The plans include space for 48 car parks and the sun-soaked, north-facing location offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Wakatipu.

It is expected to appeal to bikers and walkers using the Kelvin Heights and Jack's Point trails and is a short walk from the Bayview Marina, which is accessible for people using the water taxi service, as well as local boaties.

Mountain biking trails and golf courses are located nearby, and this restaurant will be set against the backdrop of one of the world's most desirable landscapes.

Sharee Aitken, Commercial Broker at Colliers Queenstown, has been exclusively appointed to lease the property and is taking expressions of interest.

The Kelvin Heights suburb is one of Queenstown's most sought-after locations and the multi-stage development of Peninsula Hill will see further homes added to the area, growing the local catchment for this new restaurant.

Aitken says the landlord has a bold vision for this long-awaited new offering for the area.

The plan is for this restaurant to become a must-visit venue in Queenstown that offers an all-day food and beverage service, Aitken says.

The likely customer base will include people indulging in recreational activities in the surrounding area who have experienced all that Queenstown has to offer such as lakeside walks and world-class golf courses before enjoying quality cuisine that has been carefully prepared.

The Queenstown-Lakes District has experienced considerable growth during the past decade with data from Infometrics noting a 5.9 per cent lift in its population between 2013 to 2023 compared to the national figure of 1.6 per cent.

The local economy has bounced back strongly following the Covid-19 pandemic with GDP figures in 2022 and 2023 outpacing the overall numbers for New Zealand.

Queenstown remains the country s premier tourist destination for domestic and international travellers and this new restaurant will fit nicely into the diverse food and beverage community that operates in Queenstown.

Information from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment highlights a 25.3 per cent increase in overall tourism expenditure in the year to September 2023 compared to the previous year.

Queenstown continues to make a robust recovery following the challenges caused by the pandemic.

House price growth is another key feature of Queenstown with the average house value late last year topping $1.6 million, much higher than the national average.

This new restaurant will be surrounded by an affluent local community and the continued expansion of the Peninsula Hill development will only grow the number of people that will be able to make the most of this new addition to the area, Aitken says.

The business lies within the Local Shopping Centre Zone of Kelvin Heights Peninsula as defined by the Queenstown Lakes District Council s Proposed District Plan.

- Supplied by Colliers