New Plymouth’s popular King and Queen Hotel Suites is set for a major expansion in New Zealand.

A mixed-use development is planned in the West End Precinct on what is currently the Ozone Coffee Roasters site which will include luxury apartments, retail, food and beverage, car parking and an extension to the awarded King and Queen Hotel Suites.

The West End Precinct revival over the last seven years has been sensationally successful for New Plymouth’s CBD and has cemented the west end as the cultural, arts and hospitality hub of the city.

Over 130 years ago this area was the original heart of the city and is steeped in history – civically, culturally and artistically.

The revival of the west end has renewed the original heart of this once before vibrant precinct.

Locals and visitors alike currently enjoy a range of world class dining, shopping, accommodation and entertainment experiences – the latter courtesy of key council assets:. The Len Lye Centre, Govett Brewster Art Gallery and the TSB Showplace.

The principals behind the development believe the project will have a ripple effect on the rest of the CBD, which, in their opinion, is in urgent need of re-planning and substantial redevelopment.

Their position is that every community requires a strong commercial heart and it is their intention to further strengthen and grow the core activities of the West End Precinct to the ultimate benefit of the wider community.

They foresee the opportunity to create a ‘model’ CBD incorporating: retail, dining, green spaces, recreational amenity, parking and inner city living, which new Plymouth residents will thoroughly enjoy and other communities wish to emulate.

The Tapuae Roa: Make Way for Taranaki Strategy 2017, has earmarked tourism and lifestyle as two of its primary objectives for the region.

“As a group we are determined to help make this happen,” said Daniel Fleming, Precinct Chair and General Manager of King and Queen Hotel and Suites. “We intend to create a high standard of ‘liveability’.

Apartment accommodation will be included in the development and will be tailored to individual purchaser requirements creating the opportunity for a level of finish and amenity not seen in New Plymouth before.

Apartments will range in size and will offer outstanding views of the mountain, Len Lye Gallery and the Tasman Sea. Residents will be able to enjoy the full range of hotel facilities and services such as room service, meal chargebacks, housekeeping and concierge services, unique to living above a world class boutique hotel and precinct.

Along with additional dining and retail experiences apartment and hotel guests will also be able to enjoy The Spa by King and Queen – a new facility to be introduced which will offer massages, body and beauty care.

The hotel extension will continue the high standard of finish, décor, convenience and service for which King and Queen has become internationally recognised.

“It will be built to the highest standard and will give guests even more choice,” Fleming said.

“30 additional hotel rooms are planned, taking the total to 60 high end rooms.

“A lot of thought has gone into providing our guests with a 5-star experience and we look forward to being able to offer that experience to significantly more people visiting this beautiful and increasingly vibrant region,” he said.

The development is projected to begin as early as next year.

James Wilkinson

Editor-In-Chief, Hotel Management