Born in 1892...

...moved in 2007

picture taken from an old journal about accomadation in Queenstown

bringing her back together

first winter on her new site

sitting pretty as she is today

Laurel Bank House was built mid 1892 specifically as a summer  guest house. It was one of approximately five boarding houses and three hotels listed in Stones Directory of 1892 in Queenstown.  This number increased to eight boarding houses in 1921 but by 1943 this had reduced to only six (Oakley Grey, 7). Of these only Laurel Bank House and Hulbert House remain intact today.

These guest houses provide evidence of the existence and growth of tourism in New Zealand from a very early date. They show how tourism in Queenstown, and the Lakes District generally, followed quickly on the heels of the gold rush of the 1860s and 1870s, in effect becoming the “new gold rush”. Tourism remains the most important industry in Queenstown, and Laurel Bank House provides clear expression of this, see the postcard to the right.

Ironically it is the pressure induced by the continuation of this tourism industry which has resulted in the loss of much of the evidence of early history in Queenstown.

Brief Historical Background to Laurel Bank House

• 1872 Land granted to Patrick Gantley, jailer.
  
• 1889 Land purchased by Duncan Brown, builder.
  
• c1890 House built by Duncan Brown for Mary Boyd Boyes
  
• c1892 House comprised five guest rooms, sitting room and kitchen (Stones Directory 1892)
  
• 1895 Land and Building purchased by Mary Boyd Boyes.
  
• 1905 House comprised eight guest rooms, sitting room, bathroom with hot & cold water, kitchen (Cyclopedia of New Zealand, 1905).
  
• 1920 Sold to Marion Davies. Additions to South made.
  
• 1943 Building no longer operating as boarding house.
  
• 1980s Used as hotel staff accommodation.
  
• 1990s Converted to four large rental flats 
  
• 2003 Boarded up and left  (demolition was possible) 
  
• 2007 House was moved in three parts to her present location. Steve & Sheena Brent started the resoration project. 
  

Built in 1892 as a guest house just up the hill from central Queenstown, Laurel Bank was one of the resort’s first commercial accommodation properties.   At that time, Laurel Bank had five guest rooms and was a stately residence commanding superb views over Queenstown Bay. In 1905 three new guest rooms were added and the property featured a bathroom with hot and cold water.

Laurel Bank House | PO Box 1513 | Queenstown 9348 | New Zealand | email: [email protected] | mobile: +64 274 880088http://[email protected]