Plans for a new 227-room hotel in central Queenstown have been unveiled. The Holiday Inn Express is proposed to be built on the corner of Stanley, Sydney and Melbourne StreetsÊand cost more than $60 million. Australian developers Pro-invest Group have lodged a resource consent application with the Queenstown Lakes District Council hand hope to begin construction later this year.
It planned to open for business in 2018/2019. More than 750 jobs will be generated during construction and about 15 further jobs wouldÊbe created for hotel staff on completion. The developersÊsay it will provide essential amenities at an affordable price, without full-scale food and beverage facilities.
It will have a maximum guest occupancy of 450 overÊthe three and four level wings. Features include a fitness centre, meeting and laundry facilities, and the Great Room Ð a space for meetings, cocktail functions and networking.
Designed by acclaimed Queenstown architect Preston Stevens ofÊMcAuliffeÊStevens, the proposed hotel combines abstract elements to represent the resort’s landscape history.
“The architecture is a kinetic interplay of ice and rock,” said Mr Stevens.
Destination Queenstown Chief Executive Graham Budd said the additional hotel capacity was welcomed.
“Total guest nights for year-end December 2016 were up 8.3 per centÊover prior year, to 3,506,750,Ó he said. ÒTotal visitor expenditure topped $2.1 billion at the end of 2016, so coupled with the strong visitor numbers, we would anticipate strong demand in the accommodation sector.”
Pro-invest Developments managing director Tim Sherlock said the company was planning to furtherÊexpand its portfolio of Holiday Inn ExpressÊhotels in New Zealand.
“We are currently negotiating the acquisition of a site in Auckland and hope to add further properties in New Zealand in the near future,Ó said Mr Sherlock.
In other development newsÊThe World Bar will take over the historic McNeill’s Cottage on Church Street Ð currently occupied by Italian restaurant Sasso. RenovationsÊwill begin in April but the conceptÊis still under wraps. The owners say plans are to complement downtown Queenstown’s vibrant hub by offering barista coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner and diverse live entertainment.
