Distinction Hotel Dunedin

Distinction Hotels plans to convert Philip Laing House and neighbouring heritage buildings on Princes Street into a 145-room, 4.5-star hotel and conference centre in central Dunedin, targeted for 2028. It would be the group's second Dunedin property after its 2015 conversion of the city's old post office.

The place

The corner of Princes and Rattray Streets in central Dunedin, inside Philip Laing House and the former Government Life Building, most recently used as offices for the Otago Regional Council and Oranga Tamariki.

The concept

Distinction Hotels plans to convert Philip Laing House and adjoining heritage buildings on Princes Street into a 145-room, 4.5-star hotel with a conference centre, retaining the historic street facades rather than demolishing the block. Confirmed by Dunedin's mayor and by Distinction Hotels chief executive Duncan Fletcher, who cited the city's tourism growth as the reason for the investment; it follows the group's earlier conversion of Dunedin's old post office into the Distinction Dunedin Hotel in 2015.

Dining & wellness

NC — no restaurant, bar or wellness program has been announced this far ahead of the project's targeted 2028 opening.