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A new beachfront hospitality venue, Hotel Catalina, will open in Lyall Bay on Monday, March 2, operating from the former Spruce Goose site.
The venue will offer all-day dining from 8am until late, seven days a week, serving coffee and breakfast through to lunch, dinner and evening drinks.
Located on the top floor, a balcony overlooking Lyall Bay and Wellington Airport will provide views across the waterfront.
Hotel Catalina is led by Wellington hospitality operators Jamie Williams and Len Baldwin.
Jamie has played a role in shaping several of the capital’s dining venues, while Len’s background includes Plimmer House, Café Brava and Paradiso, as well as co-founding The Tasting Room. Together they have worked on venues including Rosie’s Red Hot Cantina, Master Kong, Coene’s and Wolf.
“We can’t wait to open the doors and welcome people in. Our focus is on delivering an energetic, welcoming hospitality experience and standout food from morning through to night,” Jamie says.
The building housing Hotel Catalina is owned and leased by Wellington Airport. Wellington Airport commercial general manager Richard Dalby says the venue adds to the Lyall Bay offering.
“Lyall Bay is already one of Wellington’s great places to spend time, and Catalina adds another reason to visit. From the balcony to the extended evening hours, it’s designed to be enjoyed from morning through to dusk.
“It’s been a tough few weeks for Lyall Bay but we really encourage people to get out and support local businesses like Hotel Catalina and others in the area.”
The building has a long aviation history. It was constructed in the 1930s as Wellington Airport’s first terminal, repurposed in 1959 as the Wellington Aero Club, and relocated across the runway to its current site in 2011.
Wellington Airport is planning a redevelopment of the Lyall Bay waterfront precinct, from the Leonie Gill pathway to the airport boundary, including a surfers hub, play areas, viewing platforms, planting and improved accessibility.
