Developer flags 2025 for first fast-tracked Frankton apartments

The developer behind the fast-tracked Frankton worker accommodation village has plans to start building imminently after being granted consent by an expert panel yesterday.

Australian-based developer Eli Shellim hopes to have the first apartment building open in the last quarter of 2025, and is aiming to commence construction in October.

Reflecting on what it took to get an approved resource consent for the 476 units on Hansen Road near the BP roundabout, Mr Shellim says it's been "a long and often arduous journey", but worth it in the end.

"Not only (for) us, but also for the wider Queenstown community," Mr Shellim says.

"I am very proud of our consultant team; they have been such professionals. They were agile and performed exceptionally well to meet the tough time frames and expectations placed on us over the time."

To get the Frankton apartment village over the line, his company No. 1 Hansen Road Ltd received multiple requests for more information on its plans, and needed to de-scale the development by dropping an entire level from the apartment blocks to meet the Queenstown Lakes District Council planning rules.

"We are so pleased that we have reached an outcome and are thrilled with having (the) apartments approved by the panel.

"We will make sure that our architecture and landscaping is something that Queenstown can be proud of."

He says having architects Mason and Wales onboard shows his commitment to developing an "architecturally sympathetic precinct with a strong sense of place".

Mr Shellim's company is also behind a multi-level lock-up storage carpark, called the Motor Club, in the same area as the worker village, and two levels of apartments are being built atop it.

It will include 32 apartments, with an April 2025 completion date.

"The completed carpark...has resulted in a stunning outcome and is testament to us doing our best to meet this objective."

Drop a storey or it's a no - ultimatum for Hansen Rd developer