Breathing new life into Timaru’s CBD

A former hotel in the heart of Timaru will make way for a $42 million hotel, apartment and corporate office complex under a proposal designed by award-winning Australasian architecture firm The Buchan Group.

The staged development, by Bayhill Developments Ltd, proposes three separate buildings, linked by a central public courtyard and underground parking, on a 2,529sqm site that includes the former Hydro Grand Hotel.  The hotel building has been unoccupied for more than a decade and is now in a dilapidated state.   

The Bayhill plans include a six-level office building, including food and beverage tenancies on the ground floor, a seven-level apartment building, offering one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouse suites, and a 68-room hotel. Once approved, construction of the first stage is expected to begin next year.

Buchan Group Associate James Burgess said the development had been designed as a catalyst for the renewal of the Timaru CBD. “This site occupies a prime location in town, but is fast becoming an eyesore. Apart from delivering quality residential, hotel and office accommodation that takes advantage of its position overlooking Caroline Bay, we also hope the development breathes new life into the area,” he said.

“We explored with the developer a number of feasibility cases to refurbish the old hotel building, but it became overwhelmingly apparent that no such option could be made to work. 

“The proposal includes apartments that will be spacious, maximise the unrivalled views – from Caroline Bay to the Alps, and benefit from the other amenities being proposed within the development. 

“The neighbouring hotel will target holidaymakers and business travellers, and also capitalise on the precinct’s food and beverage offering.  It will also form a central hub for local commercial and residential users looking for meeting and congregation space.

“The office building is targeting a floor plate of less than 400sqm to align to local market requirements and will offer quality, open-plan commercial accommodation.

“The public piazza will link the three buildings, while the precinct will be softly elevated to allow diners to sit above traffic and parking to look out across the bay.  In doing so, we’re creating a space that will be inviting, recognisable and engaging for visitors and locals alike.”