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Construction has officially begun on The Alfred Hotel following a whakarite whenua ceremony held on Friday, October 17, on Alfred Street beside the former Marlborough Club site on the Taylor River.
Developer Chris Thornley, along with Nic Smith and Lenny O’Connell from Alfred Taylor Development, were joined by Te Rūnanga a Rangitāne o Wairau representatives Dr Peter Meihana and Kiley Nepia for the blessing, which set the intention for how those involved in the project will care for and interact with the whenua.
The ceremony honoured the significance of the land and marked the start of groundworks on Blenheim’s newest six-floor, 123-room hotel, part of a planned hospitality and entertainment precinct alongside the ASB Theatre, Wine + Food Experience Marlborough, and Marlborough Events Centre.
Alfred Taylor Development developer Chris Thornley says the blessing was a meaningful way to begin the next stage of the project.
“This blessing marks an important milestone as we begin construction on The Alfred Hotel. The whakarite whenua ceremony was a meaningful way to honour this land and set the right foundation for this significant development. The Alfred Hotel represents our commitment to creating an exceptional riverside destination that will enhance Blenheim’s tourism offering and showcase the best of Marlborough to local and international visitors,” says Chris.
When complete, The Alfred Hotel will feature 123 rooms across six floors on the banks of the Taylor River. The development is expected to transform the riverside area into an integrated hospitality and entertainment precinct in the heart of Blenheim.
The Alfred Hotel is scheduled to open in 2027 and will be managed by Capstone Hotel Management.
