Luxury hotel set to reopen

Wellington’s newest five-star hotel reopens next month after closing for almost a year because of fire damage.

Sofitel Wellington had been open just five months when a fire broke out in its restaurant, Jardin Grill, forcing the closure. It will officially reopen on October 9.

General manager Stephen Gould said it was a ‘‘very expensive rebuild’’.

‘‘We don’t have access to the cost, but what I can say is it is no doubt significant.’’

Jardin Grill was built on the site of the former Chilean Embassy at a cost of more than $6 million.

The hotel’s owners admitted the construction and design costs meant it was ‘‘probably the most expensive restaurant in New Zealand’’.

However, the fire on December 2 caused extensive damage, and it had to be completely rebuilt.

Gould would not say what caused the fire.

‘‘We had expert investigators involved immediately following the fire, but I am not actually in a position to discuss the findings,’’ he said.

The timing of the 10-month closure meant the hotel missed out on lucrative events, including the Wellington Sevens and the Lions rugby tour. However, reservations for the restaurant and rooms at the hotel had been constant since the announcement of its reopening, he said.

Staff who were deployed to other hotels were offered the chance to return to Sofitel Wellington, he said.

‘‘A large number, of course, took up the opportunity to return.’’

The opening of Sofitel Wellington in July 2016 marked the capital’s first new hotel since 2009, and first international five-star hotel in 15 years.

The Bolton St hotel cost about $51 million to build.

It belongs to CP Group, which is owned by one of New Zealand’s wealthiest families, the Pandey family, who have an estimated worth of $180m.

The group is reportedly the largest owner of hotel real estate in New Zealand. It has properties in New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and the United States.