Latest news with #Athenaeum
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Debt-funded grants wrong, councillor says
Tweaking rules to enable theatre venues not owned by the Dunedin City Council to be developed with council debt might be "clever", but also wrong, a councillor says. Cr Bill Acklin was not impressed with his colleagues when they changed the council's revenue and financing policy to enable a particular type of grant to be funded through borrowing, rather than rates. The change, approved last week, meant debt-funded grants could be provided to community organisations constructing or upgrading a building. This made it easier for the council to signal in its 2025-34 long-term plan (LTP) political will existed for spending $17.1 million on theatre space and it intended such grants to apply to redevelopment of the Playhouse Theatre and Athenaeum building, and potentially a new venue suitable for professional theatre. "To fund professional sectors using debt is not what council's ability to borrow is for," Cr Acklin said. He had stayed out of debates about theatre space because of a perceived conflict of interest but expressed thoughts after voting had occurred. Using debt for grants was "very clever", he said disapprovingly. Later in the meeting he said he believed it to be wrong. However, he was happy to see support for the Playhouse, which has a strong children's programme. Another councillor who did not take part in discussions, Lee Vandervis, said changing council policy "so that we can reclassify even more spending as capital" was shameless. He was absent because of hip surgery. He slammed colleagues for their "election-year splurge" on debt after the council added $96.9m of borrowing to the LTP during four days of discussion. Cr Sophie Barker said the debt-funded grants issue was "a useful exploration of how to support a non-council organisation to deliver a project in a building that isn't council-owned". "Otherwise, it would have gone directly on rates — this way it's able to be funded over a longer period of time as an 'intergenerational asset'. "There's a lot of checks and balances around the Playhouse and Athenaeum resolutions that won't allow any funds to be released by council until stringent conditions are met." Council debt is projected to rise by roughly $500m in the next nine years to $1.2 billion in 2034. Much of it is aimed at replacing or upgrading key Three Waters assets and transport infrastructure. The council included $17.1m in its 2021-31 LTP for development of theatre space, but removal of the allocation from draft budgets for its 2025-34 plan was controversial. Reinstating the money was one call last week that added to projected debt. Inclusion of some transport projects intended to reduce carbon emissions and deciding to replace the Edgar Centre roof were others. The council made one move late in deliberations to avoid adding to debt. It chose to start running balanced budgets from the first year of the LTP — a year earlier than had been envisaged — rather than posting another deficit. The council had looked as if it was headed for a rates increase of 10.1% for 2025-26, but having a balanced budget pushed the rates rise to 10.7%.
Times
7 days ago
- General
- Times
Dear hotels, baths belong in bathrooms. The clue is in the name
Earlier this month I was in one of London's newest hotels, scratching my head over one particular item in the bedroom. It wasn't the king-sized bed, which was perfectly comfy and big enough for the five-year-old to practise his belly flops. Nor was it the light switches, so often a cause for confusion and rage in a hotel room; these ones were a perfectly straightforward on/off sort. No, it was that thing sitting primly next to the Crittall windows: a clawfoot bath. I like a bath as much as the next person, but who actually wants one in the bedroom? Who actually enjoys wallowing in the tub next to the bed, only to get out, wonder where the towels are and leave wet footprints all over the parquet flooring? Honestly, they have become my hotel nemesis. Even after almost a decade of marriage I do understand why couples might want to loll about staring into each other's eyes — but I'd rather do my ablutions in private, thank you very much. Enough with this tyranny! Baths belong in the bathroom. Hotels get a lot right in bedrooms: snazzy design, plugs where they need to be and, if you're lucky, a free minibar. But the humble bathroom is often either too wacky, small or just plain odd. I've lost count of the number of posh hotels I've stayed in where the bathroom is clearly an afterthought, tucked away in a cupboard-sized, windowless space (ahem, the Athenaeum in London), forcing my room-sharer and me to elbow each other while we're brushing our teeth. The new Jumeirah Marsa al Arab in Dubai was a marvel for many reasons, but mostly because the bathroom was almost as big as the room itself. Even when they are big enough, there are often weird things in them. What, for example, is the bidet doing there? Nobody has used these since the Eighties, except for perhaps washing sandy beach feet. My son is convinced they are children's lavatories. Bathrooms are a place where it's fine — no, preferable — to keep it simple. I don't want to faff about with complicated light or fan switches; nor do I want a double spa shower with more settings than my MacBook. While we're here, let's get rid of icky shower curtains; that twangy retractable clothes line that Americans are preternaturally fond of, but which will decapitate you if you forget to ping it back in; and toiletries welded to the wall. Do you think I want to steal your industrial-sized bottle of cheap two-in-one? Lots of proper bathroom hooks are non-negotiable. When I got out of the lovely (easy to turn on) steam shower in the Romeo hotel in Rome a few months ago, which played breathy Enya to twinkly lights, I had to grope around on the floor to find a towel. See also showers that don't have any sort of shelving, so you end up bending gracelessly to pick up your shampoo. Unless you're a Travelodge, there's no excuse for choosing savage spotlights over a more flattering option: I probably haven't had a coffee yet and am not ready to see what I actually look like. This is what my perfect hotel bathroom would look like. Give me a double sink and surfaces large enough to put my make-up bag on. I know they're dreadfully passé and un-eco, but I want those little toiletries in plastic bottles (I haven't bought shower gel since 2012 and don't want to start now). Proper light switches to control soft, lovely lighting. Fluffy bathmats. A chair or little stool to throw clothes onto, as at Le Meurice in Paris. I don't need a comb, a shoehorn or a sewing kit, but I would like proper vanity kits with cotton pads, and lots of flannels. Underfloor heating is the ultimate I'm-in-a-hotel luxury, but I would politely suggest we don't need heated marble to warm my bathrobe (just saying, Rosewood Hong Kong). What to do about the loo? Ideally, like the Goring Hotel in London, I want a tiny marble shelf to put my phone on. And I'd prefer for the lavatory not to be annexed in a different room, as they are in France, so I have to return to the bathroom to wash my hands. I also won't say no to a Japanese lavatory with heated seats, but I draw the line at a loo with a glass door, or worse, one with no door at all. Really, though, it's more straightforward than that. Call me a revolutionary, but what I really want to see in a hotel bathroom is … the bath. What annoys you about hotel bathrooms? Let us know in the comments below
Winnipeg Free Press
17-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
The Athenaeum is a green oasis in sun-soaked Athens
In Athens' white-washed, sun-baked urban-scape, The Athenaeum is a beacon of green freshness. After all, 2,500 plants drip from the face of the newest 5-star hotel in the Greek capital. The greenery grows in irrigated planters attached to an exoskeleton on the conveniently-located, seven-storey, white building — a short walk from the National Gardens, the touristy Plaka neighbourhood of shops and restaurants and the iconic Acropolis. The Athenaeum / Supplied The Pasithea rooftop bar and restaurant has views of the Acropolis, the Temple of Zeus and Mount Lycabettus. We'll be constantly surprised at The Athenaeum's lavishness — and simplicity. The lobby of the 52-room boutique hotel is minimalist and artsy with marble floors, white walls, two check-in counters that double as big cubes of abstract art and a huge monitor behind the check-in projecting constantly changing art. The first thing we notice when we step into our deluxe suite on the fifth floor is the purple-and-gold swing chair hanging from the ceiling. It's a whimsical instalment we absolutely have to test drive multiple times. The room itself is minimalist chic, with hardwood floors and king-size bed in white linens oriented to the soundproof, floor-to-ceiling windows with views over the National Garden to peek-a-boo glimpses of the Temple of Zeus, Acropolis and Mount Lycabettus. The Athenaeum / Supplied The 52-room hotel's entrance and lobby. The bathroom is Dionysos marble with a hydro-massage bathtub and separate rain shower. Our suite has handy proximity to the rooftop plunge pool and Pasithea restaurant, both of which also capitalize on the aforementioned views. At Pasithea we indulge in Greek dishes with a twist — chef Evangelos Nikas's red pepper oil tzatziki and shrimp in saffron sauce with Greek rosé wine from Chateau Nico Lazaridi. The Athenaeum is named after the building sacred to Athena, the Greek goddess of war and wisdom and the patroness of Athens. How apropos. Old Tavern of Psarras / Supplied The Old Tavern of Psarras has been serving up delicious food in Plaka since 1898. While The Athenaeum is a destination in itself, Athens, the city, beckons. So, we start to wander the historic capital — the birthplace of classical civilization — without an agenda. You don't really need an agenda to savour buzzy Athens. First, swing by Syntagma Square to see the hourly changing of the presidential guards in front of the parliament buildings and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It's a spectacle as the Evzones guards march and prance their way through the exercise wearing a kilt-like tunic, tasselled Farion cap, stockings and shoes with pom poms and brandishing a M1 Garrand rifle. Steve MacNaull / Free Press The seven-storey facade of The Athenaeum boasts 2,500 plants. The seminal and emblematic Acropolis seems to have a gravitational pull, so we automatically start to walk there. It's because the can't-miss Acropolis is the highest hill in the centre of Athens and is crowned with the ruins of the instantly recognizable 2,472-year-old Parthenon. We simply admired it, eyes skyward, from every angle as we circumnavigated the Acropolis through the hillside neighbourhood of Plaka. Of course, you can be more organized and pre-book tickets to get past the gates at the Acropolis to visit and hear the blow-by-blow history of the Parthenon. But Kerry and I prefer to freestyle it, soaking up maximum vibe with a minimum of historical facts and dates. The Athenaeum / Supplied A junior suite at The Athenaeum. Plaka is village-like with its narrow cobblestone streets and stairways lined with shops and authentic Greek tavernas spilling down steps. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Although it's a tourist trap, it doesn't feel like it when we stop at The Old Tavern of Psarras — the oldest restaurant in Plaka, dating from 1898. Its tables are tiered down wide steps for perfect Plaka atmosphere, city views, people watching and, of course, traditional Greek food and wine. Think tzatziki with crusty bread, Greek salad with shiny, plump black olives, fried calamari and dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) washed down with local white wine Orinos Helios Semeli. For more info, check out Steve MacNaull / Free Press The ruins of the Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis is Athens' most emblematic attraction. smacnaull@ Steve MacNaull / Free Press Take in the changing of the guard near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Greek parliament. Steve MacNaull / Free Press The Pasithea restaurant features five neon-lit statues, including Discobolus (the Greek discus thrower). Steve MacNaull / Free Press A swing chair in The Athenaeum's deluxe suite is a whimsical touch.
Otago Daily Times
07-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Athenaeum library celebrates 155 years at Octagon site
The extraordinary place of the Dunedin Athenaeum & Mechanics' Institute in the history of the city is being highlighted during today's 155th anniversary celebrations for the Octagon lending library. The only purpose-built athenaeum in New Zealand that is still being used for its original purpose, the building was designed by architect David Ross and opened its doors at 23 The Octagon on May 8, 1870. However, the history of the institute dates back even further to the early years of Dunedin's settlement, when it was founded in 1851 in the Exchange with the aim of providing education and literary opportunities for settlers. Dunedin Athenaeum Library & Mechanics' Institute head librarian Holly Fletcher said supporters of the library would come together to celebrate in the evening, from 5.30pm, with an event featuring a talk on the history of the building by Hocken archivist Tom Riley. Award-winning Dunedin authors Fiona Farrell ONZM, a member of the library committee, and Laurence Fearnley will also give readings. Fearnley will read from her new book At the Grand Glacier Hotel, which is short-listed for the 2025 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, and Farrell will read from romances pulled from the library's vintage Mills & Boon collection. ''We will also be sharing some of the stories from this mysterious library — presented by some of our members and exhibited on the walls,'' Ms Fletcher said. ''The Athenaeum building has a fascinating history, as a kind of community centre, where there were books, periodicals and newspapers, as well as meetings, classes and lectures,'' she said. ''It was also Dunedin's first lending library, and has proudly maintained that tradition — in our collection we still have some of those very early books.'' Ms Fletcher took over as head librarian about a year ago, when long-serving head librarian Christine Powley retired, and she was fascinated by the many historic elements of the library. ''We still stamp books when we issue them, which is quite fun, and it is interesting to look back at the older books to see when they were last read,'' she said. The Athenaeum library also has a historic acquisitions book, where new book purchases were recorded, which dated back to the 1960s. Impressively, the ledger cover had been in use since 1929. A published poet and librarian, Ms Fletcher grew up in Dunedin and lived overseas for years before returning home to work at Dunedin Public Library, the Hocken Collections and now part-time at the Athenaeum library. She is also studying for a masters in creating writing at the University of Otago. She is enjoying managing the Athenaeum library's more than 10,000 books and adding popular new titles and New Zealand and Maori works to the collection. ''We have a lot of fascinating books here, including a really strong crime section,'' she said. Since taking over, Ms Fletcher has gone through the books on the Athenaeum library's ground floor and weeded some in poor condition, so she can say with authority that there are 8571 books downstairs. Upstairs, there are an estimated 3000 more books, some of them quite old. ''People still take them out and read them though, which is great.'' Ms Fletcher is keen to raise awareness about its collections and activities in the community, and to connect with other literary-focused organisations to help enhance the city's status as a Unesco City of Literature. ''We still host readings, meetings and events, and do a book show on OAR FM called 'Books Uncovered','' she said. ''We want to expand on those activities and increase our membership to engage with as many people as we can. ''We want to become a real literary hub again.'' To encourage new members to join the Athenaeum library, and to celebrate 155 years in the Octagon, library memberships are half price throughout May. The library is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10am-2pm, and Thursdays, 2pm-6pm. Visitors are welcome. For more information, email librarian@ pop in, or browse the online catalogue at @ DUNEDIN ATHENAEUM & MECHANICS' INSTITUTE - IMPORTANT DATES 1851: The Mechanics' Institute is founded to provide training and knowledge to working men in Dunedin, developing to provide education and literary opportunity for new settlers. 1859: The Mechanics' Institute merges with the Otago Athenaeum group to form the Dunedin Athenaeum & Mechanics' Institute and work begins on collecting books and periodicals. 1860s: The Central Otago gold rush brings many more people to Dunedin, and it is decided a larger space is needed for the institute. 1870: Architect David Ross designs a purpose-built Dunedin Athenaeum & Mechanics' Institute building in the Octagon, which opens on May 8, 1870, with 742 members. 1879: The building is set on fire and 12 people die in the blaze, including library assistant George Augustus Martin. 1902: The institute opens a smokers' room and a ladies' room. 1930s: Dunedin Public Library overshadows the Athenaeum Library. 2007: The building is sold to the Dunedin City Council and bought in 2014 by Lawrie Forbes.
Otago Daily Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Mayfair slammed amid calls for cut reversal
Disharmony in Dunedin theatre circles has hit a crescendo amid a chorus of calls for a $17.1 million council budget cut to be reversed. The money set aside in the Dunedin City Council's 2021-31 long-term plan for development of a mid-sized theatre was absent from the 2025-34 draft plan, upsetting various groups. They have called for the capital spend to be reinstated, but have also been embroiled in a disagreement among themselves. An explosive submission to the council from professional theatre advocacy group Stage South included a withering assault on the Mayfair Theatre. "Any consideration of further investment into the Mayfair is mistaken," Stage South Charitable Trust spokeswoman Karen Elliot said in the submission on the council's 2025-34 draft long-term plan. "It is fundamentally unfit as a 21st century performing arts venue." She described the Mayfair as having a small, inflexible stage, European proscenium arch, "poor acoustics for spoken word, inadequate access, poor sightlines, inevitably high running costs and multiple technical design limitations". "It's inherently unworkable for modern theatre and with its strong colonial flavour and lack of community space actively excludes Māori and Pasifika performance," she said. "Representatives are unwilling to accept or discuss its limits and have been notably absent in meetings between Stage South, the Regent, the Playhouse and the Athenaeum over the last 12 months." The Mayfair, Playhouse and Athenaeum buildings had been jointly pitched for a refurbishment programme, but the Mayfair's status has lately been in question and this has seemed to coincide with input from Stage South, which has advocated for a new build. Mayfair Theatre Charitable Trust chairman Geoff Patton said the theatre existed because of a small team of volunteers. "We realise the theatre is old, some of its facilities are not the best and it needs money spent on it, but that was the whole point of the exercise undertaken with the Playhouse and Athenaeum." The only meeting of significance he missed was one called with 13 hours' notice and the invitation was sent at 11.15pm, he said. Mr Patton said much of the criticism of the Mayfair appeared to relate to professional, non-musical theatre. "We have to remember that the theatre was transformed into a live venue for, and by, the Dunedin Opera Company," he said. "The majority of its hires are for musical events. "The Mayfair has been the city's 400-seat theatre for 60 years, and if the proponents of the new build can't raise $30m, it will continue to be for many years yet." Dunedin Repertory Society stressed the urgency of work needed to improve the Playhouse Theatre. It had previously been agreed among theatre partners the Playhouse should be first, "being the smallest, cheapest, easiest and fastest project to deliver". Athenaeum building owner Lawrie Forbes said his complex was under-used and had potential to deliver an "unparalleled, edgy, multi-use events centre". Neither Mr Forbes nor repertory society representative Brent Caldwell was critical of the Mayfair.
