OMG, I Want This House: Queenstown, New Zealand
The Daily Beast presents a look at one of the most insane houses in the world.
New Zealander Peter Jackson secured his fame and fortune directing the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit series, both filmed in his home country. Lorde became a two-time Grammy Award winner at the age of 17. And Taika Waititi made his weird and wonderful name as an actor and director in his native New Zealand before going full Marvel…while also taking a star turn as an imaginary Hitler. The evidence is clear: move to New Zealand and all of your dreams of artistic success will come true. But if you want to ensure your spot in the creative pantheon of history, it’s best you also secure the perfect setting for bringing your genius to life. We’re talking about this $11,850,000 contemporary chateau near Queenstown, New Zealand.
The exclusive community of Jack’s Point Preserve is as beautiful as the Shire, but the accommodations are a little more—er—spacious. The 10,580 square feet of living space is divided between two buildings that are connected by a glass walkway.
American oak walls and bluestone floors create a warm ambiance indoors, while the cascade of glass windows provides a constant reminder that, no matter how much you brag to your friends about your new acquisition, the real masterpiece is outside.
From your own little three-acres on Jack’s Point, you not only have access to the best named mountain range in all the land, the Remarkables, as well as Lake Wakatipu just steps away from your front door, but, more importantly, you also get to enjoy their gorgeous views from pretty much every spot in your home.
What you’re looking at here is an effort at high-class camouflage. The house is clad in local schist stone, dark bronze steel, and concrete to create a seamless blending between mansion and mountains. It’s an answer to that age-old dilemma: you want to live in the utmost luxury (we’re looking at you, climate control and plush bedding), but also pretend you’re one with nature.
Five bedrooms equals a lot of mouths to feed when the whole gang is in residence. Kitchen work may be unavoidable, but at least the sautéing and stirring and saucing will be done in this serene setting. Can we get an “OM” with that dash of pepper?
As the romantic cornballs always say, inner beauty is more important than outer beauty. But that nonsense has no place here where the interior was designed to reflect the home’s outdoor surroundings.
There’s plenty to keep you busy in Jack’s Point Preserve when you aren’t working on becoming New Zealand’s next creative darling. Do your best impersonation of an outdoorsy person and pick your activity of choice: skiing, hiking, horseback riding, fly fishing, sailing, or mountain-bike riding.
Otago is an award-winning wine region, so a beautiful wine cave is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Now do your civic duty and stock up on the local delicacies: Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and Sauvignon Blancs.
Famous Tolkien fanatic Stephen Colbert recently made a play to become the “Newest Zealander.” As he explained, “New Zealand is one of the greatest places on earth. The people are incredible, the landscapes are absolutely breathtaking. It’s home to both Lorde and Lord of the Rings. And fun fact there are no predators in the whole country, including no snake.” Preach, Colbert, preach.
We applaud your efforts to write the next great novel or create the film that will define a generation. But, if all else fails, feel free to pin all your future bragging rights on your real estate prowess. Who needs to have their name forever entombed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame when you can lay claim to a beauty like this?
Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!
Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
