Sofitel So opening to be delayed

Auckland's Sofitel So will now open next year. Photo / Richard Robinson

Redevelopment and planning work for Auckland's newest CBD five-star hotel is taking longer than expected, delaying the Sofitel So opening.

Extensive reconstruction and resource consent work for the 133-room hotel to open in the ex-Reserve Bank building at 67 Customs St East opposite Britomart has resulted in an announcement that the block will now not open until next year.

Garth Simmons, Accor New Zealand and Fiji vice-president, explained that his company was still on track to open the hotel, just a lot later than expected.

"The construction process has been slow-moving due to larger than expected stage one demolition works.

"The final planning consent was only approved in November.

"However, the owner/developers are currently investigating expanding the original plans which may entail another round of development consent.

"Accor is working to support the hotel owner throughout the build process and will take over operations of the property once it opens in 2016," he said.

On July 30, 2013, Accor said the hotel would be ready this year.

The $50 million hotel is to be operated by the world's largest hotel operator.

The building is owned by Auckland's wealthy Pandey family, which owns many New Zealand and Australian hotel properties, via the CP Group.

CP Group operate 11 Accor and Sofitel-branded hotels in New Zealand, with two more - the Sofitel Wellington and Sofitel So Auckland - under construction, taking the number to 13 by 2015, Accor announced two years ago.

The Auckland hotel is to have a lobby lounge bar and rooftop restaurant, meeting and conference spaces and a swimming pool.

Ginni Post, Accor Pacific's communications director, said Wellington's Sofitel So will open this year.