Cardrona: alpine village

The keys to the first completed home at Central Otago’s Mt Cardrona Station development were handed over to its proud new owners earlier this month.

In what’s being hailed as a “significant milestone” for the 400-hectare alpine village, there are 13 homes under construction this winter. Leuschke Group Architects Colin and Lindy Leuschke are the first to receive keys to their new home situated above the Cardrona Valley.

The Leuschke family has been involved with Mt Cardrona Station’s development for many years as the creative team behind a range of architecturally designed homes for some of the station neighbourhoods. “Seeing a number of homes coming to completion and many more in the planning stages is very exciting for us,” says Colin.“It’s a bonus and privilege that ours is the first to complete.”

Spending many winter seasons skiing in Central Otago, Colin and Lindy became enamoured with the region, its proximity to ski resorts, hiking trails, golf courses, and “the simple pleasures of Otago’s hospitality”.

Five more homes are expected to be completed by October 2024, and work has also begun on the first phase of The Homestead village hub, incorporating the members’ clubroom, meeting and remote working facilities, gym and workout spaces, and three outdoor hot pools.

The $10 million architecturally crafted landmark building overlooks a tarn, has breath-taking views of the valley and surrounding mountains and is set to be the heart of the village.

Arrowtown-based architect Luke Leuschke, one of Colin and Lindy’s sons, has designed many of the buildings at Mt Cardrona Station including Soho homes and The Homestead. He says his designs for all of the properties are influenced by historical agricultural building types from the region, and are constructed using traditional materials.