Instead, the meeting was cancelled a few minutes before it was supposed to start. Centennial Property Group had indicated its intent to withdraw its appeal to the court and, with the consent of the commissioner, the meeting was called off.
Local residents were not happy. Although the withdrawal of the objection all but guarantees heritage protection for the Alexandria Hotel building, it does not yet ensure the survival of the hotel as a business.
At time of writing, the developer is believed to be still considering whether to submit a new development proposal. A new proposal would need to preserve the existing building. For example, the developer might keep the front of the hotel intact, while building on part or all of the current beer garden, and possibly even building “into” the upper level of the hotel while preserving the lower level and shell of the building.
What might save the hotel are the technical difficulties to do with developing the site. A train line passes directly under it, quite close to the surface. Furthermore, the site is only a few metres above the water table. Both factors, especially in combination, would significantly increase the cost of any potential development.
What is certain is that any potential future development proposal will face significant and well-organised opposition from the community.
Community tries to claim the Alex Hotel
