Franz Josef Scenic Circle Rainforest Hotel

Rider Levett Bucknall Christchurch have been selected by Scenic Circle Hotels and Arrow International to provide full estimating, cost planning and post contract services on a project which will see the construction of a new $22 million hotel on New Zealand's South Island West Coast in the glacier township of Franz Josef.

The 100 bedroom Rainforest themed hotel has recently commenced construction in a natural native bush setting and is due to open in 2009.

Dalman architects, the rainforest hotel's designers have embraced green initiatives with the design exhibiting sustainable timber and energy efficient lighting and controls. As a whole the development has been planned so that it causes as little disturbance to the environment as possible.

The challenges of the project have included a limited resource base on the West Coast of New Zealand and an overheated tendering market. In addition, limited connections with the major cities of the South Island has required the use of some innovative design and contracting solutions to overcome the intrinsic, logistical problems associated with the project.