The outstanding operator for Lower Hutt’s Events Centre will also develop and operate a four-star plus hotel in Lower Hutt, saying the exciting project is a “great combination of my skills and experience.”
The Directors of USAR Commercial Assets Limited (USAR) are husband and wife, Raman and Anuradha Sarin, and the family has extensive experience in both accommodation and event centre operations.
Mr Sarin says, “Hospitality is my family’s life and we look forward to this new adventure in Lower Hutt.”
Mr Sarin brings over 25 years of experience managing event centres, including the National Convention Centre of Canberra Australia, the Ashok in New Delhi, India and closer to home, the VR Rotorua Lake Resort.
The Council will retain ownership of the Events Centre, and USAR will lease and operate it. Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace says this is a great and quite unique arrangement, ensuring the Centre is used to its full potential with a leading operator and there is low risk to Council.
The Events Centre is currently under construction in the City’s Civic Precinct. It will be a state-of-the-art, flexible venue designed to cater to both community and commercial events.
Mr Sarin says, “We see a great opportunity in the Wellington region for an events centre, with high-end accommodation only a minute’s walk away. We look forward to providing excellent service for Lower Hutt community functions as well as commercial events.”
The new Events Centre adjoins Lower Hutt’s historic Town Hall, which is being restored and strengthened and the Council administration building, which is also being upgraded.
The site for the new hotel sits across the Riddiford Gardens, in southern High Street, a minute’s walk from the Events Centre.
Mr Sarin is also an accomplished hotelier with over 40 years’ experience in both New Zealand and overseas markets. He has been involved in developing, owning and managing 29 hotels and serviced apartments during his career.
The hotel will operate as part of Accor Hotels, one of the world’s largest hotel groups present in 92 countries. It will operate under the group’s The Sebel brand, providing premium quality apartments.
The hotel is still to go through resource consent; plans show two towers with provision for retail and restaurant space on the ground floor and an open public courtyard through the centre of the complex would better connect the Civic Precinct with the Hutt River Te Awa Kairangi.
Source: Hutt City Council