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Luxury in the CBD

Standing on the steps of the 14th Lane Urban Hotel one would automatically feel as if you were being transported into a New York city centre hotel, with its remarkable contemporary finishes, all stylistically curated. The newlyrenovated establishment exudes purposeful design. Nobody would think that just beyond the comfort of one of the eight immaculately decorated rooms you were in the heart of the Blenheim CBD. “That’s just the beauty of it all!” says owner Craig Young. Craig, and his wife Vicki purchased the property in 2017. It is important to mention that the property has remarkable historic significance. First operating as a coal merchant business in the 1940s, later an overalls factory and then changing hands, and becoming the Builder’s Arms, a traditional local bar. It also held names such as the Dungeon and The Loft, plus operated as one of the only nightclubs in town at times since past.

Craig, Vicki, and business partner Janet Enright are no strangers to the hospitality sector, for a decade owning and running BV Gourmet a busy cafe/ delicatessen in town and later developing a large catering facility and cafe in Riverlands. With the sale of BV Gourmet, the trio looked to their next venture, a new era was dawning, in the shape and form of 14th Lane Urban Hotel. “We had to take a serious look at what we wanted our next chapter to look like, being involved in some form of accommodation interested us all, there appeared to be a gap in the market for a modern contemporary inner-city hotel and it had to be easier to manage than a busy cafe:” says Craig. The original owner of the building had planned for it to be turned into a backpackers. When the trio stepped in, the building was merely an empty shell that was then transformed into what is now a gem of the Blenheim CBD.

If you are familiar with the show Grand Designs or any other Home Channel DIY show, you would know that it takes a heap of hard work and determination to see a project of this magnitude to the end, and still be left with your sanity intact. That is why finding a construction team that can manage the project from start to finish, plus share the same vision is paramount. That is where the project manager and lead of construction Neil Hunt (with over 40 years of building experience) and owner of Hunt Construction came into play. Neil arrived in New Zealand with his young family in 2002 after leaving the UK and went straight back to work in the building industry. He first worked for his cousin, then went on to work for a couple of building companies, then eventually started Hunt Construction in 2008. After so many years in the business, plus the 14 years spent at the helm of his own company, Neil and his team are no strangers to the building industry. All this time spent on various projects has meant that the Hunt Construction team is at the top of their game when it comes to the renovation of historic properties, new builds, renovations, and commercial properties. Craig had selected Neil to bring their ideas to life due to Neil’s experience, and familiarity with the building. Neil’s cousin once owned the building, and his team had worked on the building at prior intervals over the years. The two also shared the same subcontractors on past projects, another sign that Neil and his team were the right fit. Craig reiterated by saying “we are both like-minded, and value a high standard of workmanship. When we sat down for our first few meetings it was very clear that we shared the same vision, and both wanted to see the project succeed and flourish!” Well, like anything in life, there is always something that is bound to come up that would see a project fail or take some downtime. Three months into the build Covid reared its ugly head. Yet, the build kicked off in January 2020 and was completed in December 2020 - Still on time and within budget! Craig is quick to mention that there are no problems, only solutions. Their intensive meetings both before, during, and after the build ensured that whatever came their way, they were both well prepared. It is this type of relationship and understanding shared among them and their extended team that is the reason that such an exquisite build and finished concept feels and looks the way it does. It is important to mention that their mutual respect still stands after what has been a phenomenal two years of unexpected twists and turns. “We never took downtime over lockdown, though isolating, we remained in constant contact, putting into place the next sequence of events, ordering of materials, and arranging of teams. It is one of the reasons the project was such a huge success!” says Neil From the original polished, hand-poured stone floor in the foyer, through to the distinct alcoves (part of the original building) that is beautifully finished to create features throughout the hotel. There is careful attention paid to honouring the historic building. The original steelwork still exists, and extensive earthquake strengthening has been undertaken too. Neil mentions that the challenges faced with a build like this were that when laying foundations and renovating they were not allowed to encroach on original precast structures and foundations. The building is in essence interlaced and woven together, a careful fusion of old and new, to create what now is a remarkable piece of artwork in the form of a hotel. These careful considerations, along with Hunt Constructions’ title of Renovation of the Year 2019 Regional Supreme Winner, inspired Neil to approach Craig with the idea of entering the 2022 New Zealand Commercial Project Awards. The awards recognise commercial, innovative construction and design, and the entire project team who brought to life what is some of the country’s most stunning builds. The awards are open to all project partners on a national scale including architects, quantity surveyors, contractors, and more. Hunt Construction won silver in recognition of excellence in workmanship, construction practices and innovation. Craig reiterates that the building was built and designed with the highest spec you could hope to reach. The glamorous award ceremony took place on Friday, 20 May at the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre. This prestigious suit and tie event was an extra special event as Hunt Construction nabbed the silver award in recognition of excellence

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in workmanship, construction practices and innovation. The silver win is tremendously good for business and staff morale says, Neil. “It makes the hard work, late nights and intensive planning all worth it!”

Their relaxed demeanour and ease at discussing the project and passion for design begged to be asked: “What should any, ‘wanna-be’ hotelier or those that are contemplating renovating, take into consideration?” They are both quick to respond that joy for what you do is important. When you undertake to do something, it should ignite a spark in you, then it will never feel like work. Craig adds: “You know something is worth it when you have return customers visiting or making use of your service, it means that they believe in you and your dreams.’ “Leaving a legacy is also an integral part of a business. The opportunity to better perfect your skills and establish a thriving business that will stand the test of time – like the projects that Hunt Construction has been rewarded to work on is as important,” says Neil. It is this devotion to his craft and future vision, such as Craigs for the hotel, that has inspired Neil’s son, Elliot (24) to become a fully qualified carpenter and see the succession of Hunt Construction. A passing of the “hammer” so to say and see even more masterful builds rise up around the Marlborough landscape and further reaches of the country. Anybody would believe that after seeing this magnificent project to the end a well-deserved break would be on the cards. Though when you look at both Craig and Neil’s successes, they are not the idle kind. Craig’s next big undertaking will be to renovate the family home, Neil’s being the obvious project management and construction thereof! Neil, Craig, Vicki, and Janet, along with their team, are riding the wave of intentional design. That is greatly reflected in 14th Lane Urban Hotel’s choice to not include a reception desk in the foyer. “Guests should never feel like they are passing through. The space should be made to feel like they have arrived home,” says Craig. All the hotel’s rooms and shared spaces encourage you to linger and appreciate the finer things. From the high ceilings that express the wellsized bedrooms with their waffle-pressed bedding, and soft velvety furnishings, through to the premium coffee machine and linen robes carefully placed in each room, everything entices you to slow down and unwind in an atmosphere that emits opulence.