An artist's impression of what the new Quest Mount Maunganui could look like. Photo / Supplied
An artist's impression of what the new Quest Mount Maunganui could look like. Photo / Supplied
Construction on a $20 million apartment hotel in Mount Maunganui will restart next month after Covid delays pushed the project a year behind schedule.
The Quest Mount Maunganui development is on the corner of Rata St and Maunganui Rd, which was previously occupied by the Breakers cafe and bar formore than a decade.
The development, including 40 apartments and four ground-floor retail spaces, was expected to open early this year.
But Wallace Development Company Limited development manager Tyler Tabak said delays mostly due to the lockdown meant the project was pushed back.
"Realistically, the project was supposed to start 12 months ago."
Tabak said they were about three weeks away from starting construction when the country went into lockdown.
A year later, the project has been given the green light and will start construction on May 3. Local building company Marra Construction has been awarded the new contract.
"It is fantastic to be up and running," Tabak said.
"As frustrating as it is to be delayed by 12 months, to be building a hotel in the outside of a global pandemic we consider to be a great result and using a local contractor it will be great for the local economy."
With the Bay Oval and sporting events hosted in the area, Tabak said "this will be a great addition to the Mount".
Wallace Development Company Limited bought the 2118sq m site including Breakers cafe and bar and Rosie O'Gradys more than a year ago.
All existing buildings built in the 1950s and 1960s were demolished to make way for the new development.
Quest chief executive Stephen Mansfield and general manager Adrian Turner at the official opening day of the new Quest Hotel on Devonport Rd. Photo / File
Quest Apartment Hotels (NZ) Ltd group general manager Adrian Turner said it was great a date had now been set for the company's third property in the Bay of Plenty.
"We have seen significant growth in the amount of corporate business happening in the region," he said.
"In fact, almost 200 new Bay of Plenty companies when travelling for businesses have stayed at Quest properties around the country since the country moved to level 2 last May and that indicates that the region is bouncing back well."
Mount Business Association chairwoman Kim Renshaw said the new development would be welcomed by all mainstreet members.
"It's going to add another dynamic to the area," she said.
"It will greatly affect in a positive way by providing a certain level of high-end accommodation and the retail spaces will be fantastic and will liven up the area."
Renshaw said any investment into the Mount mainstreet was a good thing, particularly post lockdown.
"Covid really did put a halt to a lot of Bay projects."
Satori Lounge owner Lisa Wilson said the development will be positive for the area.
"It will help to lift the image of the area too," she said. "Hopefully the apartments will fill up with lots of people wanting to dine here with us."
Marra Construction manager Greg Johnston said they were "excited" to work with Wallace Development on the project.
Johnston said there will be an estimated 50 to 100 people working on site during the construction phase.
"It's going to be great for Mount Maunganui," he said.
"It's a high-profile project and it's a bit of a benchmark for the region."
The project is scheduled to be completed by mid-2022.
