Construction of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Christchurch is now ongoing, after the property, which was then known as the Forsyth Barr, suffered damages due to the earthquake that occurred almost five years ago.
According to Stuff, the 17-storey building was sold after the earthquake in New Zealand for $8 million to MC Christchurch Holdings. After a year, the company "signed up the Crowne Plaza chain to occupy it."
The report states that the property is now in the midst of renovation, which includes "high-flying" stairways being flown by cranes into the building. The stairways will reportedly form "18 levels of scissor stairs" in the hotel.
According to the publication, spokesman Shane Le Compte said that they expect the new Crowne Plaza Hotel to be finished next year. Aside from the installation of stairways, the interior repairs and "re-fit" include removal of rear parking ramps and car parks, alteration of base podium, and internal framing of eleven floors of guest rooms.
Back in December 2014, a separate report of Stuff stated that the Forsyth Barr will be transformed into a hotel with 200 rooms and restaurant and a bar. It can be recalled that the former Crowne Plaza Hotel on the other side of Victoria Square was demolished in 2012.
The new Crowne Plaza Hotel in Christchurch will reportedly feature various facilities including function rooms, fitness center and day spa. Since the real estate project only involves refitting, the establishment is expected to look the same "except for a new façade at street level" once it opens in 2016.
