Community is key to a new development nestled on the banks of Queenstown's Lake Wakatipu.
Surrounded by native beech forest and birdsong, Glen Tui Heights has eschewed the standard pack-'em-to-the-rafters style of property speculation in favour of a policy of space and community.
On the road connecting Queenstown with Glenorchy, Glen Tui Heights (at Bob's Cove) served as a farm until the 1970s, when it was sold to a property developer. Their idea was to subdivide the space into 104 sections (and get rid of the native bush) but the company went into receivership post-GFC and was purchased by the new owners, Janine Twose and Mark Wikstrom.
Twose and Wikstrom have an entirely different vision. They say it's not about a quick sale nor maximising the number of houses on the development. They have ensured there is residential and community space for residents to enjoy all the surrounding benefits like fishing, walking, tramping, cycling and taking in the views.
They reduced the number of sections in stage 2 to 46 to retain much of the remaining bush, moved on to the land with their families and began quietly marketing the sections.
The ethos of the developers is reflected by the fact they turned down a bulk buyer from Auckland in favour of developing organically. So far, all 15 sections in stage 1 have sold and eight houses have been built. In stage 2, 25 of the 27 sections ready have sold, with the rest to be put on the market over the next few years.
Wikstrom says the attractions of Bob's Cove and Glen Tui Heights are many: "There's nothing else like it around Queenstown. There are no similar developments in the area and the native bush out here is amazing and untouched.
"It's only 12 minutes' drive to Queenstown and there is no future housing planned out this way - so there will be very little traffic," he continues.
"It's an easy scenic drive home; on the other side of Queenstown the traffic is a total nightmare."
He says the bush is unique in the area; tui, kingfishers and bellbirds are in abundance. The views of lake and mountains are spectacular and Bob's Cove itself is a walker's paradise. It's a nature reserve so will never be developed and features a 40-minute return walk past a 19th century lime kiln remains and through native bush.
Wikstrom says communal spaces are set to be developed soon, many of which will take advantage of the warm summers the region is known for.
"We are developing a swimming pond and a jetty that will be great for diving off," he says.
Additionally, there will be a children's playground for kids to enjoy, fitness equipment for the adults, and a lodge is also planned.
So far a wide range of people have taken have purchased sections in the development - young families, retirees, Kiwis and people from overseas. This diversity is another great selling point of the development.
Watch: Development with a difference