In a statement today the council said it wanted developers to register interest for the 6480m2 site, on the corner of Moray Pl and Filleul St.
The council said it envisaged the design would incorporate street level retail, allow for public car parking and include facilities "normally associated with a five star hotel".
It anticipated developers may want to build other buildings on the site as well as the hotel, or create a "development complex".
Enterprise Dunedin director John Christie said the council's long-held position was the site represented a "prime development opportunity".
"So we’re looking for someone to develop the site and build a high quality hotel complex. This site is a prime location in the inner city and this development would be a valuable asset for the city.”
The site was one of the few large blocks of undeveloped land left in central Dunedin in single ownership.
It was used for car parking, but has "huge development potential", he said.
“It’s a great location, with close proximity to the Dunedin Centre and our vibrant city centre.
"We’ll have caveats to ensure the site is not land banked or used for anything other than a hotel complex and we’ve asked developers to allow for public parking in their plans.”
Interested parties were asked to submit registrations of interest including concept designs and details of their development experience.
“The site is being advertised internationally, with registrations of interest being sought by an external company. Developers who have previously been interested in the site have been advised and can also take part in this process.”
The site has long been at the centre of discussion as a potential hotel site, but no plans have eventuated.
Tekapo businessman Anthony Tosswill tried to win support for a hotel and apartment project on the site after unveiling plans for a 17-storey tower in 2016.
Consent for the project was rejected the following year, and Mr Tosswill subsequently withdrew an Environment Court appeal - in favour of going back to the drawing board - after repeated design changes failed to impress.
A memorandum of understanding signed by Mr Tosswill and the DCC would have given Mr Tosswill and his company, NZ Horizon Hospitality Group Pty, exclusive first rights to the site if his project had won consent, but that has long since expired.
Mr Tosswill's original plans envisaged a 17-storey glass tower - including a five-star hotel, apartments, retail and other features - but ran into opposition from critics worried about its height and visual dominance.
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Comments
Oh no .... not again!
My thoughts exactly.
After the last debacle why would anyone bother. The Hagmans who own a small part of the property & owners of the existing hotel protested and what would change?
I so remember the previous tower would block the sun on the shortest day of the year. What calamity.
Just build it!
Why doesn’t the dcc design the building they want built then put it out for tender. Because any plan a developer will submit the dcc will decline!!!!! Or how but a multi storey car park.
So ...old world style hotel wanted (blue stone or similar) to fit with grey heritage surrounds, small enough to not stand out and so also owners not to expect a profitable income due to limited number of rooms allowed, developers to expect public resistance and obstruction from dcc Processes. Please don’t hesitate in investing time and money putting proposals forward to the forward thinking and co operative city of Dunedin.
Oh NO- NOT AGAIN