Ayrburn wins Tourism and Leisure Award in 2024 Property Industry Awards

Ayrburn has won the Holmes Group Tourism and Leisure Property Award at the Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards.

Located a stone’s throw from the centre of Arrowtown, the first stage of the revitalisation of this historic site opened to the public in December 2023. Established in 1864, the original Ayrburn Farm was one of the first and most successful farms in the Central Otago area, becoming a destination and social hub for locals. Since their acquisition in 2015, property developer and owner, Winton, has been conscientiously carrying the rich history of the land into the new development to create a world-class wine and culinary experience for a new generation of visitors.

An outstanding level of time and meticulous attention has been applied in the restoration and revitalisation of the natural features and heritage buildings, which would’ve otherwise been reduced to ruins. The result is a crafted development that integrates old buildings with modern facilities.

“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,” said Andrew Evans, chief judge, Property Industry Awards.

Across the development, the construction method was labour and time intensive, often needing to employ traditional craft and pushing the boundaries of the tradespeople to unlearn the neatness of modern building process. The innovation of the building team is to thank for many of Ayrburn’s defining features such as the now iconic front sagging beam of The Manure Room and the integration of original stone throughout the property.

There was a strong emphasis on retaining the original material and local sourcing when possible, and approximately 70% of the original stone walls were left standing. What was in workable condition retained in-situ and was structurally strengthened and, where it was in bad condition, it was dismantled and reused with a new core added in between. Timber elements were also deconstructed, cleaned-up and reused. Contractors and stonemasons were engaged pre-construction to achieve the most efficient process and minimise material use to only what was essential.

Six different food and drink vendors are currently operating on the site – The Woolshed (a former stables and woolshed) including a new build supporting annex, The Manure Room (a former cart shed), The Burr Bar (the former cookhouse and original homestead), The Dairy (a former dairy), and The Dell (a communal events space). The second stage of the project will see the opening of three further venues.

Massive congratulations to our trade partners and everyone involved in the project.

Holmes Group Tourism and Leisure Property Award
Best in Category: Ayrburn

• Owner: Winton Land
• Developer: Ayrburn Precinct (subsidiary of Winton)
• Construction: Cook Brothers Construction and The Builders Limited
• Architect: SA Studio
• Service engineer: Aquaheat New Zealand, Caldwell & Levesque, Cosgroves
• Structural engineer: Engco
• Mechanical engineer: Aquaheat
• Quantity surveyor: Qube
• Project manager: Winton Land
• Heritage consultant: Origin Consultants
• Ecology: SLR Consulting NZ