NEW HOTEL PROPOSED

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30200, 3 August 1963, Page 13

NEW HOTEL PROPOSED

Seven-Storey Building

Plans for a seven-storey, 103-bed hotel, which it is proposed a private company will build on the present site of Bonners Tourist Hotel on the corner of Manchester street and Moorhouse avenue, were announced by Mr and Mrs R. J. Bonner yesterday. Mr Bonner said that an application for a loan to assist the financing of the project had been made to the Tourist Department about three weeks ago. “The original plan was not big enough to qualify for Government assistance under the loan scheme to encourage the building of tourist betels,” said Mr Bonner. "The plans are being amended by our architects, Messrs Trengrove, Trengrove and Marshall, and an amended application to tlie Tourist Department will be made shortly.” Mr Bonner said the application for Government aid of his proposed hotel was the first to be made from Christchurch. The hotel plan was similar to that of the Southern Cross Hotel, Sydney, and “would be right up to international standard.”

The present hotel would be demolished, he said. Tl.e ground and first floor would cover the whole half-acre of the site apart from two covered-in entrance ways, from Moorhouse avenue and Manchester street, with covered parking space for about 16 cars.

There would also be space for a few' shops on the site. The second storey would contain the lounge, opening on to a terrace, a banquet room, diningroom and kitchens. A five-storey tower, containing 50 double bedrooms, each self-contained with bathroom and toilet, would rise from the second storey, Mr Bonner said.

On top of the tower would be a penthouse with entertainment and conference rooms. Two high-speed lifts would serve all floors. Mr Bonner estimated that the hotel will take 18 months to two years to build once the site had been cleared.

“Christchurch is desperately in need of international standard hotel accommodation,” Mr Bonner said. “Our site is in an ideal position once the road tunnel is completed and the drive-on steamer express' is built. It has direct road access to the Christcthurch airport. I consider that in the near future, the Road Services’ bus terminal must be put near the railway station.”