Art Deco on every level

A three-month major refurbishment of the iconic Art Deco Masonic Hotel in Napier is nearing completion with the laying of a flooring style which has been around about 70 years longer than the hotel, built in 1932.

"And it's likely to last for another 50 years," an architectural consultant for Wellington-based Forbo Floorings, Justine White, said.

The company specialised in what she described as environmentally friendly "lino" and the Masonic foyer flooring had come all the way from the Forbo factory in Scotland, she said.

Linoleum had been around for about 150 years and was as tough as flooring could get, Miss White said.

Made of linseed oil, wood flour (ground up timber) natural pigments and limestone, it goes down and stays down and can take on the one thing modern PVC-type floorings often fall short on - the ravages of time.

Napier designer Jacob Scott, working with Masonic owners Craig Hay and Neil Barber, decided to take the lino path as the traditional, and eye-catching way to introduce arrivals into the foyer, which had been extensively renovated around the style of the 30s.

Miss White said she had been watching its laying, which began last Monday, with more than just professional interest.

"I live in Wellington now but I'm a Bay girl - I used to come here in my younger years - when there was a Cobb and Co."

The new flooring was replacing the original linoleum which had been laid back in 1932 and, while standing the test of time well, had begun to wear.

Mr Scott selected a traditional Art Deco pattern which would stand the test of time, as well as blend in with the revamped surroundings.

Overseeing the laying had been Forbo's technical services manager, Peter Brack, from Queensland.

"There are some Art Deco buildings where he lives, but nothing like this," Miss White said.

"He's been for a few walks to take it in - he's pretty impressed."

Contractors have spent the past three months renovating the Masonic's restaurant and bar into what is now Emporium.

Internationally acclaimed designer Tom Skyring created a stylish and welcoming theme, using combinations of luxurious leather, panels, lighting and a restored ceiling, which had caused visitors and guests to stop and look up.

"He's been great to work with and it's been quite a coup to have him here in Napier, working on Emporium," Mr Hay said.

He and Mr Barber said they had taken "great joy" in seeing the iconic Masonic restored to its formerly elegant state, but in a modern way.