Kirk Roberts unveils $180m vision for a new alpine community in Wānaka

A new integrated alpine resort development bringing together residential living, hospitality, recreation and wellbeing in a vibrant, year-round community.

Kirk Roberts, through its development and investment division KR Capital, has unveiled plans for Mount Iron Wānaka, a $180 million integrated alpine resort development in Wānaka, Otago, New Zealand. Located at the foot of Mount Iron and set across 1.87 hectares, the development will feature a 136-room Sudima hotel alongside 72 premium residences, comprising 39 townhouses and 33 apartments, including three penthouses.

For Kirk Roberts Chief Executive Jade Kirk, the vision has always been about more than delivering another hotel or residential development.

“Our vision has never been to simply build another hotel or a collection of residential properties. We wanted to rethink the traditional resort model and create something genuinely different – bringing together residential living, tourism, hospitality, recreation, and health and wellbeing within one integrated destination.“

A living alpine community

At the heart of Mount Iron Wānaka is a vision to create a genuine year-round community, bringing together permanent residents, holiday homeowners and resort guests within one connected destination. The development combines architecturally designed residences with premium hotel hospitality, extensive wellness and recreation facilities, and landscaped communal spaces.

Central to the resort is The Ridgeline, a distinctive elevated landscaped walkway connecting spaces for relaxation, recreation and social connection. With flexible residential ownership options and professional resort management by Hind Management, the development offers a different approach to alpine living.

Building on experience

Mount Iron Wānaka continues Kirk Roberts’ partnership with Hind Management, the operator behind Sudima Hotels, following the successful development of the five-star Sudima Kaikōura hotel. The experience has helped shape Kirk Roberts’ approach to creating developments that contribute beyond the buildings themselves.

“We developed Sudima Kaikōura with Kirk Roberts and have operated the hotel since it opened in 2022. We know how well we work together, which is why we’re partnering again on Mount Iron Wānaka,” says Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala ONZM, founder and Chief Executive of Sudima Hotels and Hind Management.

For Jade, the opportunity is to build on that experience while contributing to Wānaka’s future.

“Wānaka is an equally extraordinary place, with a strong identity and an enviable lifestyle. As the region continues to grow, we see an opportunity to introduce something that complements its natural environment while contributing positively to its long-term economic future,” says Jade.

Mount Iron Wānaka brings together Kirk Roberts’ multidisciplinary design and engineering expertise, development experience and commitment to challenging conventional thinking to create places with lasting value. Construction is anticipated to commence in 2027, with the development expected to be delivered over approximately four years.

Residential sales and marketing are being managed by New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty (NZSIR), with local Wānaka agents Guy and Sheryl Alty leading sales enquiries.

Mount Iron Wānaka in the news

The launch of Mount Iron Wānaka has attracted national and regional media attention, with coverage highlighting the $180 million development, its significance for Wānaka and the vision behind the integrated alpine resort.

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