Rather than rebuild to suit their changing needs, the owners of this townhouse, overlooking central Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, wanted to remain loyal to the original building and renovate across all three levels. We admired this approach and therefore made every detail matter. What was a winter holiday retreat became a permanent home with warmth and repose. When the balcony doors open however, the soundtrack of central Queenstown makes it feel like the house is part of the party. We found a fine balance between being in the thick of the action and retreating home.