"Actually seeing people on site up ladders painting things and building things — it’s really exciting to see it all starting to come together," general manager Ange Copson said.
"I’ve looked at this on paper for so long.
"We’re very fortunate that the local contractors have been incredibly understanding about delays, and everyone’s in boots and all.
"It’s an absolute hive of activity down there."
Development work on the inside area of the 760sq m Cobb & Co restaurant began last month, and foundation work for the deck area at the north end of the railway station began last week, Mrs Copson said.
"We’re doing some internal framing ... and the kitchen work will begin in a couple of weeks."
The 100sqm wood, metal and glass deck was being fabricated off site, and would be installed in pieces.
She was now working with Otago Polytechnic and hospitality organisations to recruit staff, Mrs Copson said.
"We’ve had several hundred applicants already, and we’ve only been advertising for about a week.
"We’ve had a great response."
The "multimillion-dollar" development was expected to open in mid-June.
It would be the first time a Cobb & Co restaurant had been operational in Dunedin since the Cobb & Co at the Law Courts Hotel closed about 10 years ago, she said.
