32 | Ayrburn T T Alexia Anderson Ayrburn sets the standard Winton’s commitment to honouring the past while building for the future has been recognised on the national stage, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT There is more to Ayrburn than meets the eye – beyond the beautifully restored buildings, carefully designed gardens and wide variety of cuisine is a land rich in history and a story that shapes everything Ayrburn is today. Dating back more than 160 years, the Arrowtown property, now owned by Winton, has evolved from productive farmland into a carefully restored food, wine and events venue, a transformation that has preserved its original character while establishing something new for its latest audience. Winton’s commitment to honouring the past while building for the future has been recognised on the national stage, including at the 2024 New Zealand Commercial Project Awards, where the development claimed top honours in the Tourism and Leisure Project category. It also secured the Commercial Project $10-$25 million Value Award. Those accolades recognise the scale of the investment and the work that has taken place to protect Ayrburn’s heritage within a muchloved hospitality setting. The original Ayrburn Farm was one of the first and most successful farms in the Central Otago area. Since its acquisition in 2015, property developer and owner, Winton, has been preserving that rich history throughout the development. Winton has been recognised for its outstanding level of time and meticulous attention throughout the restoration project, and for its protection of the heritage buildings, which could otherwise have, potentially, been reduced to ruins. Property Industry Awards chief judge, Andrew Evans, says Ayrburn is a considered development, which is set to establish itself as a must-visit tourism destination in the Queenstown-Arrowtown region, much like the original dwelling. “It’s evident the integrity of Ayrburn has remained through this revitalisation project,” he says. Judges also praised the craftsmanship on show at Ayrburn, along with the careful integration of modern hospitality requirements within the historic dwellings. Some of the land’s original structures, which remain a focus of the property today, include the woolshed, dairy, and stables, each still standing strong. They remain as pivotal reminders of how the property’s story started. When Winton Group acquired the property, they ensured those structures were restored and repurposed, rather than replacing them, ultimately transforming the heritage site into functional hospitality spaces. The Woolshed offers vibrant dining with a bistro-style menu, while The Manure Room provides shared plates and a vibrant bar atmosphere. The Dairy serves ice-creams and milkshakes, and The Burr Bar provides an intimate, cozy and luxurious watering hole, specialising in cocktails. One of the latest venues to open its doors at Ayrburn is Billy’s, which features a Chinese- inspired menu, located within the property’s original homestead. Nearby, is The Bakehouse, which is designed to bring people together over a thoughtfully created menu, with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Aside from Ayrburn’s obvious charm, it has also had a significant economic impact, with a large employment base across all facets, from food and beverage, to events management, grounds maintenance and administration. Local producers, winemakers and suppliers also benefit from partnerships, with the precinct making its impact felt across the wider district. Ayrburn has also established itself as a hub for events and cultural experiences, with its wide-open spaces proving attractive for concerts, markets and large gatherings. Events such as the Ayrburn Classic motoring festival, which combines cars, cuisine and live entertainment, along with its festive Christmas Wonderland, also add charm and excitement to the area. CENTRAL OTAGO ARCHITECT STUDIO sastudio.co.nz SA Studio Ltd was founded by Jessie Sutherland in 2018. The Studio is located in Cromwell, Central Otago. Our design-led practice has a strong ailiation with Central Otago, the community and the landscape it encompasses. SA Studio has completed projects in residential, hospitality, small-scale commercial and adaptive heritage architecture. We are passionate that buildings should respond to the site and the occupants, as well as making you smile! Call our team today to get the right expert advice 0800 782 377 The Industry Experts in Construction Cost Management 0800 QUBEQS www.qube-qs.com info@qube-qs.com • Cost Planning • Estimates • Residential • Procurement • Commercial • Rebuild Valuations ckl.co.nz Providing expertise for projects across New Zealand INTEGRATED PLANNING, SURVEYING, ENGINEERING, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS THAT WORK. Honoured to support WINTON GROUP in the beautiful Ayrburn project. 03 445 0553 info@extremeroofing.co.nz Cromwell: 03 445 2468 otago@extremeroofing.co.nz Dunedin: Invercargill: southland@extremeroofing.co.nz 03 263 4125 Your trusted source for reliable construction solutions. QUALITY WORK - QUALITY PRODUCT
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