106 | BUILDING Safari Group Savvy construction & management experience Robert Neil. Safari Group has nailed the hotel construction industry in New Zealand, having delivered over 2000 units and apartments since its inception in the 1990s. As a leading investor focused developer, Robert Neil and Stephen Taylor joined forces to form Safari Group - literally named after Rob’s Nissan Safari SUV. They set about building a business on a solid foundation of savvy construction and management experience, and are one of only a few Kiwi development companies that control all aspects of the development process. The company’s latest project is a five-star 86-room hotel redevelopment of the old heritage Post Office building, in Palmerston North. The heritage building is on the corner of The Square and Main Street and will have part of its façade kept and refurbished. Some pieces of the original building will also be refurbished and incorporated into the new hotel lobby. Sales and marketing co-ordinator Sophie McEwen said the original post office heritage façade footprint will be retained and strengthened with a new two storey fitout in behind it. The post office extension will be demolished and a new five storey building will be built in its place, connected to the heritage side with a double height glazed atrium. “We will be upgrading the heritage façade to its former look with all heritage features added back. “We are also reusing the old timber trusses as a feature in the atrium, along with stained-glass skylights within the new hotel lobby in reception.’ The second Tryp hotel in New Zealand is estimated to be completed in 2027 at a cost of $50 million. The building had been sitting unoccupied for several years, derelict, burnt down and vandalised. “As an iconic building in the centre of Palmerston North, it deserved to be brought back to life. T T Aimee Wilson “Palmerston North also needs a new hotel in the central city. It is a very vibrant city with lots of events throughout the year. “We were approached by a local agent to look at the building and after our due diligence was completed we decided to purchase it, following several meetings with the Palmerston North council and NZ Heritage.” Safari Group purchased the site in 2022 and planned to start building in 2023, however it was delayed until February 2025. “We haven’t ventured into Palmerston North before, so it was a new opportunity and challenge for us.’ The Auckland-based company mostly build in big cities, but are now looking to the regions for hotel opportunities. Call or email us ... we can help you complete your tiling project today! 027 210 6692 admin@mtsutherlandtilingltd.com Proudly supporting Safari Construction Group Ltd www.hansens.co.nz 55 Bennett Street | Palmerston North Phone: 06 354 4181 Email: admin@hansens.co.nz There is a neighbouring site that Safari Group also owns, and they will look to include a five-storied green star open plan-style office block to help grow the city. Sophie said there are a lot of central government departments in Palmerston North and the lower North Island, with new business opportunities in the city as well, so brand new five-star offices would help accommodate that. Safari Group is working with architects Plus Architecture and interior designer Outline Design, along with structural engineers Enovate on the project.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=