Owners reveal plans for new 127-bed hotel to replace derelict buildings

Thursday, 13 September 2018

There is progress at last on a neglected site as owners lodge plans for a new 127-bed hotel in Christchurch's Papanui Rd. (Video first published in September 2018)

Christchurch's derelict All Seasons hotel, labelled an eyesore by neighbours, will be replaced by a 127-bed three-storey hotel with a restaurant, bar and pool.

Demolition is due to start this week on the old earthquake-damaged hotel buildings, which have angered neighbours as they sat deteriorating and attracting vandals and squatters. The buildings are on a large Papanui Rd site backing onto Onslow St.

The property is owned by Auckland's rich-listed Pandey family, who own hotels across New Zealand and overseas through their company CP Group. They have now lodged a resource consent bid with the Christchurch City Council for the new hotel.

An artist's impression of the new hotel to be built at the old All Seasons site at 72 Papanui Rd in Christchurch.

Pacific Architecture director Brett Taylor, speaking on behalf of the Pandeys, said the hotel would be run by an international operator whom he could not identify but confirmed was not currently in business in Christchurch.

**READ MORE:

Demolition equipment is on site at the old All Seasons Hotel, in Christchurch.

* Plans under way to demolish All Seasons eyesore

* Neighbours 'fed up' with derelict hotel after seven years

Prakash Pandey, a member of the Pandey family who own a hotel chain and are rebuilding in Christchurch.

* Shabby hotel 'cesspit for squatters'

* Pandey Hotel Corporation 'abandoned another hotel'**

Preparations for demolition of the old hotel are being made.

Contracts for the demolition have been let and equipment is on site as workers prepare to bring the buildings down.

The resource consent application is for a hotel with a reception area, restaurant, bar, cafe and lounge across the front of the property, 127 guest rooms at the rear, and a gym and uncovered pool on the northern side.

The complex will be 11m high and built of concrete with large areas of windows and decorative concrete and metal panels on the facade.

The All Seasons, previously the Autolodge, dates back to the 1970s and closed after the earthquakes. Among those reported to be occupying the damaged building since were a self-style missionary who played loud religious music, and various prostitutes and gangs.

CP Hotels has said several times in the past few years that redevelopment plans were under way, but without progress. Taylor said the plans were complicated by factors including engineering issues and site mitigation.

The Pandeys are one of New Zealand's biggest hotel owners. The have about 18 hotel across the country in Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua, Queenstown and Dunedin, including several of the luxury Sofitel and Novotel brands. They also own 11 hotels in the United States and three in Fiji.

- This story has been corrected - an earlier version said the complex was 11 storeys high