We saw a building that once held a city’s conversations waiting to host them again. When the 1906 post office opened on The Square, it was grand enough to match Palmerston North’s Edwardian optimism—all that beautiful stonework and those generous volumes speaking to civic pride. The structure survived extensions, an earthquake, decades of use and disuse. Our vision was straightforward: give it another century of life as a hotel that respects what’s already there.

We’re keeping the facades that define The Square—the original Edwardian frontage and its later additions—and connecting them to a five-storey hotel through a double-height glazed atrium. The join between old and new reads honestly. Heritage elements get restored with care. Safari salvaged original materials during demolition to repurpose throughout the hotel. The 86 rooms, restaurant, spa, and conference spaces all work within the building’s robust framework. This is our fifth project with Safari, and we’ve learnt that good hospitality architecture honours both place and guest.

“The bones were too good to ignore. We gave them the future they deserved.”

Hamish Davies, Director, Plus Studio