SPORT N’ SPA RESORT
APR provided full architectural and engineering services for the transformation of the old Kiwi Ranch into a new recreation resort for the 90s.
The upgrade and re-imaging work of Stage 1 was finished in time for the summer season even though the new owners only took possession in Mid October.
With Stage 1 successfully completed APR then prepared designs for 36 new rooms to be integrated with a new conference centre. This project incorporated existing buildings and new work that is designed to enhance the resorts new visual theme as well as provide valuable new facilities.
Wairakei Resort Gets a Bright New Traditional Look
Major renovations and additions, to a value of $9 million, have given the old Wairakei Resort Hotel a major ‘face lift’ to bring the resort an attractive new look and greatly improved facilities. As the architects for this project we had the task of pulling together a physically and visually disjointed complex of buildings, of many differing styles, that were in a jaded to totally run down condition. A major design goal was to recreate the hotel’s age-old ambience whilst providing, not only, totally comfortable and modern facilities that made the guests feel at home, but also facilitated a highly functional and efficient hotel operation.
This major upgrade was undertaken as a series of carefully planned inter-linked projects to a master plan developed by APR’s Architects and Planners, all to a very tight budget and precise time table. The work had to be undertaken while the hotel remained fully occupied and functional. In this respect the refit of the main kitchen provided a major challenge that was successfully met.
Wairakei Resort Website
Wherever possible use was made of the existing building’s fabric with new work enhancing, modifying and adding to it in a fashion that has built on the resorts strengths and character and removed its legacy of neglect and thoughtless development. The hotel now has 127 quality bedrooms with a state of the art conference centre that can cater for groups from 6 to 600, a new gym, spa pools and squash court complex, first class cuisine is provided with the all new Pavilion Restaurant as the jewel in the crown.
