Resort's grand old lady returns to her heyday

3 Apr 2009 -

She has been under wraps for more than 15 months but yester-day Queenstown's old lady finally dropped her hessian veil to reveal her bottom to the masses.

Built in the 1880s, the historic Mountaineer building on Shotover St is nearing the end of a four-year redevelopment.

The lower floors of the building have been shrouded behind a hessian curtain since December 2007, only to be unveiled to the public yesterday.

Depending where they walked, passers-by were confronted with two very different visages.

On Rees and Beach streets, the historic facade is almost restored, with differing shades of white emphasising intricate details on the masonry.

On Shotover St, a gleaming glass frontage allows glimpses of the retail space within.

Westwood Group Holdings Ltd developer Johnny Stevenson said he had waited a fair while to see how the renovation would look, and was delighted with the results.

"The building is looking simply stunning, with its very distinctive original window frames on the first floor carefully restored and double glazed, and much of the original stone walls preserved for future generations."

Originally designed by Frederick W Burwell in 1884, the newest iteration of the Mountaineer was created by Walker Architects of Auckland.

Mr Stevenson said leasing was going very well, with about 80 per cent of the office and retail space now taken.

Tenants would include Quiksilver, Kathmandu, Andrea Moore and Betty's Liquor.

Mr Stevenson said the new and improved Mountaineer should be open for Queenstown Winter Festival, which falls in the last week of June.

By Will Hine – Southland Times