One of Alexandra’s iconic hotels looks set to change hands for the first time since the late 1990s.

The Criterion Club Hotel, which first opened in 1880 - known by the locals as the ‘Middle Pub,’ is being marketed by Property Brokers Alexandra.

The Flannery family have owned the pub since 1998, and the sale includes the freehold land and buildings, comprising 17 guest rooms, a bar, dining room and a games room on six titles.

Coranne Flannery said she and her late husband Tony moved into the pub a year before Alexandra’s big 1999 flood.  

Her daughters now own it and it is leased to another local family with a final expiry date of April 2032.

Situated right next to the proposed Alexandra Riverside park project, plans are also progressing with the $3.46 million development, to rejuvenate the downtown area of lower Tarbert St.

The original proposed plans for the Riverside Park Trust project.

A trust, made up of local businessmen Rory McLellan, Lindsay Breen and Dave Ritchie are all involved, and project co-ordinator Lynda Gray said there have been some recent developments.

“We are revisiting the original consent plans and looking at more of a staged approach with a plaza development at the south end, followed by developing the river access in stage two.”

The Central Otago District Council agreed to support the development with a loan funded investment of $650,000 last year, and a report to the Vincent Community Board later this month will consider the next steps.

“Funding is still an issue and there is a shortfall,” Lynda said.

The Alexandra Riverside Park Trust has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Stage 1 with council, and the parks and recreation team will lead the project in partnership with the trust and engage with local rūnaka.

The development will link the township to the riverside by establishing a community and heritage greenspace and precinct, which will include a terraced riverside area, boat launching pontoon and local heritage elements.

The project will provide a space and focal point for locals and visitors to the cycle trails and local attractions. 

The Criterion Hotel is being marketed by real estate agent Geoff Beckley who said proposed plans for the Riverside Park development will assist in unlocking the potential of the prime location of the adjoining pub. 

The deadline sale closes Wednesday, November 22.