An Auckland company has its sights on turning Whangarei's old Farmers Trading Company building into hotel-styled serviced apartments with an entry on the Cameron and Bank Sts corner.
Still only a germ of an idea, the proposal by development-connected Canvas Investments would see the tired 1930s building turned into a classy boutique-style hotel and retail complex.
Although seismic-proofing regulations would require a total rebuild of the "brick on brick" original structure, the concept presented by the developers maintained the period architectural style, Whangarei District Council economic development manager Peter Gleeson said.
The plan included valet parking for hotel visitors arriving at the front of the building, with parking under the back of the building off Butter Factory Lane.
The council has approved the creation of a loading/drop-off zone on the Cameron St frontage. The developer told the infrastructure and services committee a loading zone was a critical first step, without which the proposal could not go ahead.