Location: Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay

Project Type: Commercial design and build of luxury lodge

Awards: For this project, Natural Habitats was proud to receive the following Landscapes of Distinction Awards (Over $40,000 Category):

Gold - Commercial Landscape Design 
Gold - Commercial Landscape Construction 

Cape Kidnappers Station is nestled amongst 6,000 acres of rolling farmland on the Hawkes Bay's iconic Cape Kidnappers.

On opening, the golf course was rated 27th best in the world, an extraordinary achievement. The client required exclusive luxury lodge accommodation of the same quality.

Natural Habitats worked with the owners and Nelson Byrd Woltz Architects of New York to develop, detail, vegetate and build the landscape at what is now known as “The Farm at Cape Kidnappers”. It was a challenging task given the steep site, proposed mainly for its stunning views, but best inhabited by goats. The ground which could be cut and levelled was mainly consumed by buildings, leaving little room for the required landscape. 

Natural Habitats responded by careful site analysis which minimised costly retaining and utilised every sheep crafted track and platform. The result is a landscape which effortlessly accommodates the massive vistas as well as swimming pools, intimate spaces, footpaths and boardwalks.