Plus Architecture and Safari Group lead New Zealand’s hotel evolution with La Quinta Parnell & Augustus Park
La Quinta Parnell & Augustus Park, is a mixed-use development that combines a 54-room La Quinta hotel and 63 premium apartments
In a landmark partnership, international design practice Plus Architecture and New Zealand-based property developer Safari Group are setting a new standard for commercially sensitive hotel developments in New Zealand.
Their latest collaboration, La Quinta Parnell & Augustus Park in Auckland’s Parnell neighbourhood, is a testament to their shared vision for functional, design-forward, and market-responsive hotel projects.
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This new addition joins an impressive portfolio of successful projects including the TRYP by Wyndham in Palmerston North, La Quinta Queenstown by Wyndham, Ramada Suites by Wyndham in Manukau, and Ramada by Wyndham in Queenstown Central. Each development reflects a meticulous approach to balancing aesthetic appeal, construction efficiency, and commercial viability.
La Quinta Parnell & Augustus Park, the most recent addition, is a mixed-use development that combines a 54-room La Quinta hotel and 63 premium apartments. With a distinctive, articulated façade system and two-tone massing, the building showcases a sophisticated design that harmonises with Parnell’s urban energy and historic charm. The development’s street-level entrance, featuring a public market and plaza, integrates seamlessly into Parnell’s lively streetscape, enhancing the area’s appeal.
La-Quinta Parnell Augustus-Park Tina-Haresnap
Matthew Charles, Director at Plus Architecture, highlighted the value-driven focus of the partnership, stating, “Our collaboration with Safari Group is rooted in a commitment to creating high-quality, cost-effective developments that address the evolving needs of the hotel sector. Augustus Park epitomises how thoughtful design can generate long-term value for both developers and end-users.”
A vital component of their approach is the use of cost-effective building materials, such as Allwin Facade Solutions, which Safari Group utilises in multiple projects. These solutions allow the partners to maintain high design standards while staying within budget, an essential factor in an industry increasingly focused on financial sustainability.
According to Josh Van Veen, Senior Development Manager at Safari Group, the distinctive approach of Plus Architecture lies in their collaborative style and active leadership involvement. “With directors participating hands-on in each project, Plus Architecture brings a unique blend of insight and efficiency, ensuring that every detail meets commercial, regulatory, and aesthetic requirements,” Van Veen said.
As New Zealand’s tourism industry evolves, Plus Architecture and Safari Group are keenly attuned to emerging trends, particularly the rise in demand for lifestyle and experiential hotels.
Recognising the crucial role of staff accommodation in tourism hotspots, the partners are also addressing housing shortages for hospitality workers in locations like Queenstown, where housing scarcity remains a pressing issue.
La Quinta Parnell & Augustus Park is more than a hospitality development; it represents a pioneering approach to mixed-use spaces, setting a new benchmark for New Zealand’s urban living standards.
By blending residential and hotel spaces in a thoughtful, community-minded design, Plus Architecture and Safari Group are making a lasting impact on New Zealand’s hotel industry while enhancing the urban fabric of the communities they serve.
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