Landmark Queenstown home of Australian philanthropist on the market for the first time

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

From reporter Debbie Jamieson:

A landmark central Queenstown home with the town’s widest Lake Wakatipu frontage is for sale for the first time.

The Thomas House was designed and built for Australian businessman David Thomas and his late wife, Barbara.

The much-admired home sits on a large site located in Queenstown’s Park St – a location sought after for its lake frontage, panoramic views, and 10-minute walk into town.

Designed by noted Australian architect Andrew Wiley and influenced by the prairie style made famous by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the house is subtle, yet grand.

Agent James O’Hagan, of Colliers Queenstown, said it was unusual for a property to offer so many unique and appealing attributes.

“The residence itself is a timeless architectural statement.

“I think it would be one of the most admired and photographed homes in Queenstown, and it’s on one of the most desirable addresses in the area.”

The expansive 2150m² site covers two titles and is zoned high density affording multiple future development options.

The 62m lake frontage was the widest lake frontage of any residential home in the Queenstown town centre area.

“We anticipate strong interest on the basis of this being a very special property offering,” O’Hagan said.

Interiors of the 451m² house were designed by the late George Freedman and the award-winning park-like gardens, planted exclusively in natives, were designed by landscape Ralf Krüger.

The main residence contains separate formal living zones designed to maximise lake and mountain views, a dedicated art gallery with separate art storage and a commercial-grade wine store.

There are three bedrooms in the main residence with a separate lake-facing self-contained studio with private patio and parterre garden.

The home is being offered for sale by deadline private treaty closing May 18.

The house was completed in 2000.

O’Hagan said it was difficult to estimate a sale price, but he anticipated there would be strong interest well above the 2021 CV of $11.59 million.

David and Barbara Thomas are amongst Australia’s largest environmental philanthropists, having donated more than $AUS40m to conservation projects through their Thomas Foundation.

The entrepreneurial couple started Cellarmaster Wines in Australia, in 1982, after buying wine from The Sunday Times Wine Club in London.

Over 14 years they launched 12 more wine clubs in Australia and New Zealand.

In 1996, they sold the business to Fosters for A$160 million, providing the capital to endow The Thomas Foundation.

Initially the foundation supported projects in education, the arts and conservation and in 2013 shifted focus to marine issues.