A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY An international luxury hotel expands its horizons with gas fi replaces that generate appeal and increase performance

Setting the scene ablaze with the crackle of real flames, the renowned Eichardt’s Hotel, located in the picturesque city of Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island, off ers its VIP guests a warm and inviting welcome upon entering its penthouse suite.

In 1859, entrepreneur William Gilbert Rees built a waterside homestead on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, including a woolshed that sat on the site now occupied by Eichardt’s Hotel. When gold was discovered nearby a few years later, Rees found his homestead declared an offi cial goldfi eld and a new opportunity presented itself. Turning his hand to the hotel business, Rees converted his woolshed into a hotel and named it the Queen’s Arms.

Albert Eichardt became partners in the hotel with William Rees in 1866, eventually becoming the sole proprietor in 1869. Upon taking full ownership, Eichardt renamed the hotel Eichardt’s Private Hotel and began catering exclusively to tourists as the town evolved from a mining settlement into something more established.

Listed as a Category 2 Historic Building by the Historic Places Trust, Eichardt’s Hotel is an iconic landmark in the Queenstown region. Still catering to tourists, the hotel now has a reputation for housing “discerning travellers” from around the globe — but its history of reinvention endures.

In 2019, Eichardt’s underwent a transformation. The area next door, which was the site of the stables for the original hotel, was excavated and developed to expand the hotel and create a luxury destination dining, retail and accommodation precinct, including The Penthouse by Eichardt’s. Adorning the top of the new building, The Penthouse is a premium accommodation space with incomparable views across Lake Wakatipu to the snowcapped mountains beyond. Featuring 240 square metres of luxury living space, indoor and outdoor kitchens, spacious bedrooms and marble appointed bathrooms, as well as Queenstown’s largest private terrace, The Penthouse is luxury personifi ed. To ensure the exclusivity and palatial comfort of its expansive terrace, Eichardt’s owners turned to commercial fi replace specialists Real Flame to supply the fi nishing touch. Creating year-round functionality and aesthetic appeal, Real Flame outfi tted The Penthouse’s balcony with two

400mm x 800mm gas fi replaces from its Pit Fire series, positioned to enhance the opulence of the expansive outdoor area.

Creating an atmosphere designed to encourage people to gather and relax, a gas fi replace is a desirable addition for any number of private and commercial spaces. From restaurant terraces to hotel atriums and sporting club balconies, a gas fi replace can generate increased purpose in outdoor spaces and resonate an ambience that encourages visitors to linger. And when you’ve got panoramic views like those from The Penthouse terrace, a gas fi replace just makes good sense! The angular and contemporary rectangular shape of the fi replaces installed on The Penthouse terrace off er extensive flame coverage, providing extra warmth for a couple snuggled by the fi re or accommodating a large party taking in the view. The glass surrounds not only operate as a functional windbreak to ensure the flames continue to flicker, they are also a stylish counterpoint to the industrial-style concrete body of the pits. Run on either NG or LPG gas, these commercial-scope units have the capacity to elevate a landscape design to the next level.

PROJECT PARTICULARS Client Eichardt’s Hotel Location Queenstown, New Zealand Fireplace Supply Real Flame

COMPANY Real Flame P 1300 554 155 W realflame.com.au