Confidence Takes Shape

Concrete floors, exposed structure and a towering crane visible through the space provided an unusual backdrop for last month’s Love the Centre Awards, but the setting was deliberate. It reflected a city still under construction and a business community determined to keep moving forward.

The annual awards, organised by the Hamilton Central Business Association, recognised the retailers, hospitality operators, service providers and entrepreneurs helping shape the central city.

Hosting the event inside the partially completed 210-room development on Victoria St offered guests a rare look behind the scenes of one of Hamilton’s most anticipated projects.

Hamilton Central Business Association general manager Vanessa Williams said the organisation has a tradition of showcasing significant city developments before the public sees the finished product.

“Most people are going to see the hotel when it’s finished and it’s all glamorous, but how cool to see that sneak peek behind the scenes,” she said.

The crane, originally an unexpected addition to the venue, became a talking point of the evening and a fitting symbol of a city investing in its future.

Those attending the awards were reminded that despite economic headwinds, businesses continue to back Hamilton’s central city. Williams believes the city is beginning to emerge from a difficult period.

“The 2020s have certainly thrown everything at business,” she said. “To be able to put your hand up and say we’re still here, we’re achieving, we’re creating and helping build a destination in Hamilton, I take my hat off to them all.”

That resilience was reflected in the range and quality of award entries.

Williams admitted judging was particularly difficult this year, with many categories producing extremely close results.

With major developments progressing and the Pullman expected to attract domestic and international visitors, conference delegates and higher-spending travellers, Williams sees strong reasons for optimism.

“I definitely think we’re starting to turn a corner,” she said. “When you have developments like these showing investment is happening, they’re being built for people and new people will be coming, that’s encouraging.”

While city centre vacancy rates remain in the low double digits, Williams said Hamilton compares favourably with many other New Zealand centres and recent initiatives, including free short-term parking, have helped improve accessibility.

As businesses prepare for the Christmas trading period and increasingly important events such as Black Friday, there was a sense on awards night that confidence is gradually returning.

Perhaps that was the real significance of gathering inside a building still taking shape.

The Pullman is not yet complete, nor is Hamilton’s transformation. But for one evening, surrounded by scaffolding, steel and ambition, the city’s business community paused to celebrate its achievements and the opportunities still taking shape.