Work about to start on High Street hotel

Work on Lower Hutt’s long awaited hotel in southern High St should begin before the end of January.

Developer Raman Sarin said he was in the final stages of doing the necessary paper work with the bank and the only delay now was getting consent for the necessary piling.

The council had been very diligent about the piling as it sat on top of the aquifer but he was confident a solution would be agreed upon soon.

The hotel was originally planned to open in early 2017.

Hutt City Council spent $3.5 million clearing it for the developer and it is hoped the hotel will help rejuvenate Lower Hutt’s CBD.

When the project was first unveiled, it was intended to run parallel with the council’s nearby $24 million events centre.

Sarin won the contact to run the events centre and this week he appointed a manager.

Last week scaffolding and an extra builder’s shed appeared on the weed covered empty lot in High St prompting speculation that work was finally about to begin.

However the council said the scaffolding was related to repairs on the building next door.

Council spokeswoman Selina Simcox said there were valid reasons for the on-going delays.

‘‘A building consent for the development by USAR Commercial Assets Ltd is currently with council for processing and council is in regular contact with developer Mr Sarin.’’

Sarin said he remained fully committed to the project and was looking forward to seeing the builders on the site in January.