Tourist plans for apartments

Press, 5 March 1988, Page 7

Tourist plans for apartments

By

GLEN PERKINSON

Chateau' Blanc, planned as an expensive (retirement complex, may end up as Christchurch’s most expensive bed and breakfast premisies.

“It will be a bit more than bed and breakfast — there will be evening meals available too,” said Mr Casper Van der Veer, a director of Ashgrove Management Services, the company that built) the $8.5 million apartments last year. ! The Craiimer Square building vvas intended as upmarket retirement units but after going on the market for between $l.l million and $125,000 they failed to sell. Prices were re-

duced by; up to $50,000 late last year but still no buyer came forward. In January, Mr Van der Veer said the company was looking at transforming the apartments into short-term tourist accommodation. To conform! with Christchurch City Council by-laws, the vacant apartments would be run as “Pension Chateau Blanc,” he said yesterday.

With increased carparking and guest stays of between one week and one month the concept should get council approval, he said.

Mr Van der Veer was not specific about charges; at the new tourist house but said $l5OO a month was “on the cheap side.”