Pullman’s new outpost in Auckland is hoping to open in Q4 2022 (Photo: Warren and Mahoney)

A new Warren and Mahoney-designed Pullman hotel, which aims to showcase the very best that New Zealand has to offer, is currently being built at Auckland Airport.

A joint venture between Auckland Airport and Tainui Group Holdings is behind the construction of a 313-key Pullman hotel that will form part of the airport’s multibillion-dollar development programme. The property is due to open in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Accor eyes up Auckland opportunities

French hotel giant Accor is ramping up its presence at the airport by bringing in another one of its brands. The airport already boasts a Novotel and an Ibis Budget, and these will soon be joined by a luxury five-star offering in the form of Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport Hotel.

Designed by Warren and Mahoney, the firm behind the nearby Novotel property, Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport Hotel will give guests a unique taste of New Zealand as it really is. Speaking when the plans were unveiled in 2019, Jonathan Hewlett, a principal of the firm, said: “Each visit to Te Arikinui will deliver a memorable New Zealand experience…guests will encounter environments that reflect our unique culture and landscape, from sea to sky, infused in the form and fabric throughout.”

A new level of luxury at Auckland Airport

The hotel will be spread over the upper nine floors of the new construction, the contract for which was awarded to Dominion Constructors. The construction is expected to cost in the region of $150 million, with work starting in the summer of 2020. According to reports, the project will generate around 300 jobs during construction, and the hotel will employ approximately 200 staff upon completion.

The hotel itself will offer “a sense of composure; calm, and a unique sense of place”, according to Warren and Mahoney. The guest journey from entrance to bedroom is intended to evoke a transition from earth to sky, and the materials, environment and atmosphere will reflect this, as visitors move from the hustle and bustle of the airport and lobby to the tranquility of the rooms. In addition, the property will have a strong sustainability focus, using eco-friendly local materials and low-energy fittings.

The practice concluded: “Te Arikinui offers the opportunity to connect with the community, offering regional tastes and sensations of the finest New Zealand cuisine. This dynamic food and beverage experience is realised through a variety of engaging environments. From the informal lobby hub, to the roof-level bar and dining experience with sweeping views from the Manukau Harbour to Auckland City, the space entices an opportunity to linger and soak in the sunset.”

Many TOPHOTELNEWS articles draw on exclusive information from the TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database. This subscription-based product includes details of thousands of hotel projects around the world, along with the key decision-makers behind them. Please note, our data may differ from records held by other organisations. Generally, the database focuses on four- and five-star schemes of significant scale; tracks projects in either the vision, pre-planning, planning, under-construction, pre-opening or newly opened phase; and covers newbuilds, extensions, refurbishments and conversions.

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