Laurel Bank House was built in 1892 as a summer guest house. She was one of five boarding houses and three hotels listed in Stones Directory of 1892 in Queenstown. This number increased to eight boarding houses in 1921. Of these original homes only Laurel Bank House and Hulbert House remain intact today. These early guest houses are evidence of the growth of tourism in New Zealand from the early days of "gold rush” times. Tourism remains the most important industry in Queenstown. Laurel Bank House is still going strong providing a wonderful resting place for travellers. 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.
1890 House built by Duncan Brown for Mary Boyd Boyes
1892 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 restoration project.
At 9am on the 1st February 2007, Kings Removal Trucks headed out of Queenstown with the back section of Laurel Bank House on board. The Kings trucks transported her 8km to her new spot in the sun, just off the Ladies Mile. The very next day at a similar time two Kings trucks repeated the journey with the remaining front parts of Laurel Bank. It was a spectacular sight and still spoken about in Queenstown. The next 7 months were franticly making her liveable. Steve and Sheena officially moving in after their wedding day on 8th September 2007. On the 28th December 2015, Laurel Bank House re-opened her doors to guests.
The back hallway. It was full of interesting wall art possibly created in the late 90's.
Tricky getting her down the driveway
Our wonderful builder Ivan, fixing all the windows.
Our puppies watching all the progress.
Laurel Bank House | PO Box 1513 | Queenstown 9348 | New Zealand | email: [email protected] | mobile: +64 274 880088