Hamilton Hotel heritage site to host CBD awards

The former Hamilton Hotel heritage building in Victoria Street.

One of Hamilton's most significant heritage sites will embrace its history in October when it hosts the Hamilton Central Business Association's 2018 CBD Celebration Awards.

Entries are now open for the CBD Awards which will be held on the first floor of the former Hamilton Hotel. The 96-year-old heritage building on Victoria Street's south end will be repurposed as part of the wider development site for the new Waikato Regional Theatre.

The CBD Awards recognise and celebrate businesses that contribute to the vibrancy of Hamilton's CBD and aim to showcase business excellence.

A front on view from Victoria Street of the proposed Waikato Regional Theatre with a hotel on the top level. Image / Jasmax

General manager Vanessa Williams says having the 2018 awards in the old Hamilton Hotel is significant.

"The venue is steeped in history and has seen many nights of celebration and glamour," she says.

"With the hotel soon becoming part of the new theatre development and the heritage features renewed, we wanted to remember it in its original form. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the history and future potential of this beautiful building than by celebrating its neighbouring businesses, who are all contributing to a fantastic CBD."

Ms Williams says preparation for the venue is coming along well.

"The first floor of the hotel, where the awards will be held, has been empty for some time, but is being recreated with the exceptional efforts of Foster Maintain who are working really hard to provide a celebration space befitting of the CBD.

"It's going to be a night to remember."

Ms Williams is encouraging CBD businesses to enter the awards as an opportunity to share their stories, celebrate achievements and be recognised for their success.

"We have an impressive number of businesses in the CBD delivering excellent products and services locally, nationally and internationally," she says.

"It's also important for the wider public to know that Hamilton has these fantastic businesses and to be proud that there is such a high calibre group of them in the central city."

There are two main awards businesses can enter, the CBD Success Awards or the CBD BestAwards.