Historic National Hotel about to be restored to former glory

The doors of Cambridge's historic National Hotel will soon be open again following its purchase by local investors.

Cambridge-based building company Flintoft Roband Ltd has bought the building for an undisclosed sum. The firm started the original seismic upgrade and refurbishment of the hotel, only to have to withdraw when the developer, Auckland-based Symphony Projects, ran into financial difficulties.

The empty building has become an eyesore and a target for vandalism. Waipa District Council had threatened Symphony with fines if it did not tidy up the hotel at the top of Cambridge's central business district.

Flintoft Roband directors Sharyn Flintoft and Mark Roband said every effort had been made since Symphony's finance dried up to work with the company to complete the project, but to no avail.

"It's been long haul to bring it together and it will be a team effort to complete it but the prospect of doing so is very exciting and one Mark and I are really looking forward to," Ms Flintoft said.

The hotel was erected in 1912 after a fire burned the old wooden hotel to the ground.

"Our vision is positive and focused, and I am looking forward to seeing the leadlights restored and walk once again through the front doors and admire the beautiful staircase presently splattered in paint by vandals.

"We are working towards finishing the building and restoring it to its former glory without compromising the original features wherever possible, bringing it back to life and constructing something the Cambridge community and The Historic Places Trust can be truly proud of."

Ms Flintoft said the refurbishment would include a restaurant, retail spaces and offices, and confirmed that they had already received much interest in lease opportunities. CB Richard Ellis' Theo de Leeuw, who negotiated the sale of the property, said the interest by Cambridge residents in the hotel had been great with many coming forward with ideas as to what to do with the building.

"Prospective uses have included re-establishing it as a hotel, restaurant, professional offices or accommodation and boutique retail."

- © Fairfax NZ News