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Sherwood Queenstown has appointed Melbourne-based Flack Studio to lead the design of its upcoming room refurbishment.
The hotel, owned by Corval and part of EVT’s Independent Collection, will begin the refurbishment in the second quarter of 2026, with upgraded rooms released in stages.
The project marks Flack Studio’s first commission in New Zealand. Led by founder and principal David Flack, the architecture and interiors practice is known for hospitality projects including Ace Hotel Sydney and has featured in Architectural Digest’s AD100 and Vogue Living’s VL50 listings.
Corval has tasked the studio with reimagining Sherwood while retaining its established sustainability philosophy. The refurbishment will prioritise electrification, efficient and recycled materials, and durable design solutions, balancing restoration with reinvention.
Corval head of hotels Maria Verner says the appointment reflects the hotel’s long-term direction.
“Sherwood is a very special hotel with a unique character. We wanted a design team who could honour that spirit while elevating the guest experience. David and his team bring the creativity, sensitivity, and warmth that align perfectly with the Sherwood ethos,” says Maria.
David says the studio aims to respect the hotel’s identity.
“Every hotel is unique and that couldn’t be truer of Sherwood. A perfect blend of current and nostalgia, we strongly felt that our role was to insert an interior that sat comfortably within the fabric of the building, while elevating and maintaining a strong sensibility and soul throughout,” he says.
The refurbishment will retain references to Sherwood’s history, including a new iteration of the Sherwood blanket and an updated version of its signature powder pink vanity. Guest rooms will align with the hotel’s broader offering, including its two-hat restaurant led by chef Chris Scott.
Flack Studio says the design draws on Queenstown’s landscape, incorporating locally considered materials and references ranging from vintage ski wear to wilderness cabins and modernist architecture. Senior designer Meredith Hayward, who is originally from New Zealand, is part of the project team.
Sherwood general manager Hayley Scott says the refurbishment will reinforce the hotel’s core values.
“Our values are centred around community, sustainability and exceptional hospitality and these are certainly going to be safeguarded, respected and enhanced through the refurbishment process.
“The soul of Sherwood is special and I feel confident that the ethos and unique touch points that we have worked to cement over the past decade will be retained,” says Hayley.
Three Sixty Architecture will partner on the project, with procurement managed by Marques.
Refurbishment works are scheduled to commence in Q2 2026.
