'Dream come true': $52m Langlands hotel opens

Published date30 September 2022
Its official opening was held in Invercargill yesterday morning

The Invercargill Licensing Trust-owned $52 million, seven-storey, 78-room, 4.5-star hotel boasts five eateries and bars, including a top-storey cocktail bar with all-round views of the city.

Departing trust chairman Alan Dennis cut the ribbon to officially open the hotel shortly after giving an emotionally tinged speech.

"People in Invercargill now are saying how exciting it is to have a hotel with such high quality.

"The ones that are staying here said they'd feel comfortable if it was in New York or Sydney, [but] it happens to be in Invercargill. So it is exciting.

"It was a dream and it's a dream that's come true.

"From the beginning, the board wanted to create a unique experience for both locals and visitors in a modern and contemporary setting.

"We wanted to add some vibrancy to the inner city and, based on the feedback so far, I think we've done that," Mr Dennis said.

Trust chief executive Chris Ramsay said, despite some unforeseen challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the quality was never compromised.

He felt a mixture of pride and relief to have the hotel finally open.

"We signed the contract with the main contractor Leigh's back in October or mid year 2019, construction started sort of October 2019, COVID wasn't even a thing.

"Then we hit the skids as everyone else did in March 2020.

"I look back on that moment, and there's a few decisions you make through any project that you go 'Yeah ... OK'. Well, we got it right."

He said the building of the Ascot Park and Kelvin hotels — two other trust hotels in the city — had combined costs of under $4 million as opposed to The Langlands' $52 million price tag, which was partly due to a the economic climate.

Alison Langlands Joyce, Vivienne Clarence and Jocelyn...

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