K¯ainga Ora rejects land swap

for further information in May.

Chateau Marlborough coowner Trevor Marshall said he had been discussing his expansion plans with Ka¯ inga Ora for nearly two years.

“We were aware they were looking at doing redevelopment of this land here, and we think that’s great because I come from social housing myself, so I don’t have any problems with social housing whatsoever,” Marshall said.

“So I do think this redevelopment is a great thing for the community, we do need more state homes.

“But once these houses are built, the opportunity is gone forever.”

The hotel had expanded a few times over more than three decades to its current 80-bed iteration. The southern wing on Charles St was added about three years ago.

Despite economic uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic, Marshall believed Marlborough’s hospitality sector would recover by the time the southern wing extension was finished.

“It’s a great opportunity for tourism, we see the high-end market rather than the backpackers and freedom campers. We want those spenders here, and this is an opportunity to get more of them here.”

Marshall estimated the extension would create 20 extra jobs at the hotel, and work for the construction industry.

Chateau Marlborough bought 1 Richmond St, which bordered two of the state home sites, in October last year, hoping to swap it with Ka¯ inga Ora for 104 Charles St. The house was currently being used as staff accommodation.

‘‘The property we’re offering them is actually bigger than the piece of land we want, which means they could build more housing. It would square up the whole site. They could redesign it and actually have more room . . . it could be 12 houses with good design,’’ Marshall said.

But Ka¯ inga Ora declined the