Development of Marine Parade hotel moves one step closer to construction

The planned hotel on the corner of Marine Parade and Albion Lane is expected to have 47 rooms and three top-level apartments. Photo / File

Development of a five-level boutique hotel on Napier's Marine Parade has taken a step closer after council granted the owners resource consent for the building.

The planned hotel on the corner of Marine Parade and Albion Lane is expected to contain 47 rooms and three top-level apartments.

The Napier City Council received a Resource Consent application on November 30, 2018, to build the five-level building accommodating the 47-unit hotel, with three top floor residential apartments, one ground-floor commercial tenancy and 13 ground-floor car parks.

Seven months on council have finally confirmed approval for the resource consent but a start date for construction is still to be finalised.

"The resource consents team can confirm a resource consent for the site has been approved, however no building consent has been applied for yet."

A council spokesperson said in March this year that council approval was required due to several "District Plan" infringements.

The building plans exceed the maximum 10m height limit within Napier's Inner City Commercial zone.

A portion of the building would reach a maximum height of 16.11 metres.

"The design, and more specifically the effect of the height infringement on Art Deco heritage buildings is currently being reviewed independently by a local architect.

"The application is currently 'on hold' (has not been approved), awaiting this independent heritage impact review."

The review was expected to be completed within a couple of weeks of the architect's assessment.

A council spokesperson has said that some amendments had been made to the original design.

"There have been some design amendments made at Napier City Council's request, but the height is still about the same."

The hotel is one of four accommodation proposals which could add more than 300 rooms to the hospitality market in the city.

Another hotel, still in the concept drawing stage and expected to have about 100 rooms, targets the Rebel Sport site and neighbouring properties.

They have been bought by an Auckland family company called Nautilus Family Trust Ltd, with the boutique hotel part of the plans.

Council say they have yet to receive any applications for the current Rebel Sport site at this stage.

The trust was unable to be reached for comment.