Jacks Point

What is Jacks Point

Jack's Point is a luxury residential development located on the outskirts of Queenstown, New Zealand. The development also features an 18-hole golf course designed by John Darby which includes it’s own clubhouse. Jacks Point is known for its scenic location and high-end amenities.
The homes built in Jack's Point are a mix of residential properties, including apartments, townhouses, and standalone homes designed by some of Queenstown’s top architects. It is known for its luxury architecturally designed homes with high-end finishes. The homes generally feature high ceilings, and large windows to take advantage of the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lake. As Queenstown has an extremely variable climate the homes are built with durability and low maintenance in mind, suitable for the harsh weather conditions and strong sunshine during summer.


Location

Jack’s Point is situated on a picturesque plateau boarding Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the Southern Alps. It is approximately a 10-minute drive from the Queenstown International Airport and about 20 minutes from the centre of Queenstown. Jack's Point is known for the natural beauty of the area, offering residents and visitors breath-taking views of the mountains, lake, and surrounding areas including some of New Zealand’s finest residential architecture.


Why we love Jack’s Point

Queenstown architects love designing homes in Jacks point. The development has been designed to blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings with the houses using local materials, and colours. There are a wide range of recreational activities and amenities, such as the 18-hole golf course, hiking trails, and a clubhouse, that offer residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. From an Architectural design perspective, the backdrop of the Remarkables makes every window a picture frame. High ceilings and amazing local materials offer a range of options to design the perfect home.


Tips for building in Jacks Point, Queenstown

As Jack's Point is situated in a natural and pristine environment, it's important to minimize the environmental impact of any new construction. This could involve using sustainable building practices, such as utilizing natural light, minimizing waste, and preserving natural habitats. There are a few other considerations to understand when building in Jacks Point.

• Building regulations: Jack's Point is a luxury development, so there are specific building regulations that need to be followed which go beyond the Queenstown Lakes District council planning rules. These regulations will likely include guidelines for building design and construction, as well as zoning restrictions and landscaping.
• Building materials: The weather conditions in Queenstown are changeable and sometime harsh, with strong winds and heavy snowfall. This needs to be considered when choosing building materials. Select materials that are durable, low-maintenance and withstand the unpredictable weather conditions.
• Building design: The design of the building should blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, using natural materials, colours, and architectural elements that are consistent with the surrounding area. This will help ensure that the building is in harmony with its natural surroundings.
• Cost and budget: Building in Jack's Point can be expensive due to the high-end finishes and luxury amenities that are typical of the development. Careful planning and budgeting will be necessary to ensure that the project is completed within budget.

Tips for selecting a site in Jacks Point, Queenstown

Site selection is a critical step of the building process and one that can impact the final house design. Jacks Point is known to have strong winds due to its location at the base of the mountains which is why it is important to select the most ideal site for your future home. There is lots to consider when buying a site in Jacks Point but some of the key things to keep an eye out for is:

• Orientation: Sun (to the north) is a critical element to think about when buying a site, especially in Queenstown where the winters can be long and cold as the sun sits lower in the sky. Ensuring the site gets plenty of sunshine during the winter months, either from the east or the west, or ideally both, means the house can be designed to make the most of the sun in winter while provide shaded outdoor area during the summer months when it’s most needed. A north facing site with little obstructions to shade it is a great starting point for a sun-drenched house design.
• Wind: As mentioned earlier the wind in Jacks Point can be very strong and often stronger than other parts of Queenstown on the same day. It is important that when looking at a site you consider the direction of the prevailing wind, and how that compares to the sun direction. While it’s difficult to avoid the wind completely, choosing a site which has the prevailing wind from the south will mean that the house can be designed to face north towards the sun while using the bulk of the house to shelter it from the southerly wind.
• Site shape: This may sound obvious but oddly shaped site means oddly shaped house, or at least irregular shaped house. While an oddly shaped site (e.g. long and skinny, or triangular) may be cheaper to buy, it could mean a compromised design (e.g. tandem garage in lieu of side-by-side double garage). That’s not to say that you should stay away from those weird and wonderful shaped sites, but rather to manage your expectations and what you can achieve on the site.
• Site topography: Another element of the site properties to consider is its topography, i.e. how flat (or not) it is. While steep sites are great for providing better views (potentially) they do come with a premium to build on, where the earthworks and excavation costs could mean limiting the size of the house or limiting your options of finishes. Generally speaking flatter sites are easier, and therefore cheaper to build on than steep sites.

Jacks Point Design Review & Guidelines

Nestled in one of Queenstown's most breath-taking natural landscapes, Jack's Point is subject to a thorough design review process that aims to harmonize residential architecture with its surroundings. This process is crafted to foster design coherence across the development and its adjacent areas.

The guidelines encompass various aspects, such as the positioning of houses, street setbacks, roof pitch and shape, building materials, colour palette, and landscaping. Before initiating your Queenstown development, it's essential to consider factors like completing the construction of all dwellings within a 12-month timeframe. Additionally, screening requirements and regulations regarding visible external elements (e.g., plumbing, TV antennas, satellite dishes, bins, clotheslines, and campervans) must be taken into account. It's crucial to note that guidelines may differ between sites and are subject to periodic updates, so staying informed with the latest version is recommended.

At Nala Studios, we possess extensive knowledge of development design guidelines and requirements. We are well-equipped to guide you through the entire process, ensuring that your Queenstown home is not only compliant but also a stunning example of architecturally thoughtful design.

If you are purchasing a site at Jacks Point and would like help evaluating what can be built or even discussing a few concept ideas,  please don't hesitate to contact the team at Nala Studio Architects.