| Named for celebrity visitor and American fishing enthusiast Zane Grey who established a base on Urupukapuka Island almost a century ago, the Zane Grey Villas are island retreat styled houses available for rent, situated in Otehei Bay in the historic Bay of Islands.
The project forms part of a master plan, design and marketing of a resort situated on the leased area of idyllic Urupukapuka Island, the largest island in the Bay of Islands. The plan includes upgrading general facilities on the island and increasing tourist activities and birdlife. It comprises twelve two level villas dotted around the bay, separated from public areas by planting and private tracks. Otehei Bay forms a natural harbour surrounded by native bush clad hills and grassland and looks out to the tiny islands at the mouth of the bay. Access is via the resort wharf protruding prominently into the bay. The Zane Grey Villas nestle sympathetically within the privacy of the native bush fringe and are carefully designed and positioned to protect the stunning views over Otehei Bay and beyond. The Villas are custom-designed to both showcase the stunning natural surroundings and to provide modern and versatile accommodation. |
The contemporary design and colour scheme is essentially natural and earthy. Utilising both native and imported timbers, stone accents and subdued paint colours, the resulting style is sophisticated yet simple, retaining strong reference to both the archetypal New Zealand bach and the traditional fishing lodge.
Designed by FGA with versatility in mind, the layout of both of the timber clad Villas is identical. The upper floor has generous open plan living and the master bedroom. A covered deck spans the full width of the upper level, maximising indoor outdoor flow in all weather conditions. Downstairs are two separate bedroom suites which are designed to stand alone or together with the upper level. Oriented towards Otehei Bay, the raked roof and full height doors over large decks take advantage of lush native bush views, showcasing the natural birdlife of the area. Like Grey, visitors to these stylish villas also seemingly can’t stay away from this beautiful location. |