Demolition begins on historic Albert Hotel

Demolition work has begun on Hastings' historic Albert Hotel. Photo / Paul Taylor

The demolition of Hastings' oldest building has begun, with new projects waiting to occupy the Albert Hotel's soon-to-be-vacant site.

Albert Hotel owner Michael Whittaker said yesterday the process of demolishing the historic hotel had commenced last week.

A team from Hastings Demolition is currently working on the interior of the building.

"Our aim is to get [the demolition] completed as soon as we can, around Christmas time or soon thereafter."

Following the demolition, a two-level container development will spring up on the site with up to 16 spaces for lease, modelled on Christchurch's successful Re:START container mall.

Danny Blair of Colliers Hawke's Bay, who is overseeing the development, said no spaces had been snapped up but he had received a lot of interest.

"Once the Albert [Hotel] physically comes down, we'll start to secure tenants."

A growers' market run by the Hastings City Business Association will also take place on two blocks of Heretaunga St East, including the hotel site, every Saturday starting this weekend.

City centre manager Susan McDade said the market would run from 7am to 10.30am and was part of an initiative to revitalise the east end of town.

The Albert Hotel is Hastings' oldest inner-city building and was built in 1882 by William Dennett, an Australian immigrant who became mayor of Hastings.

The two-storey wooden building withstood the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake and was given category two protection by Heritage New Zealand because of its cultural and aesthetic value.

Hastings councillor Kevin Watkins said he was saddened by the hotel's demise.

"It's sad to say goodbye to a little bit of history, but there's no other option."

Mr Watkins was just 11 years old when the Hastings fire brigade used fire hoses to deter an angry mob outside the historic hotel during the Blossom Festival Riot - otherwise known as the 1960 Battle of Hastings - which happened when the annual Blossom Festival Parade was cancelled due to wet weather.