In May 2022, Anchorage Properties was granted consent to build a four-storey retail, office and apartment building in lower Rattray St next to the Crown Hotel.
At the time, concerns were expressed that those who eventually moved in could complain about noise from the neighbouring Crown Hotel, which has been a city music venue for decades.
Yesterday, Crown Hotel proprietor Jones Chin told the Otago Daily Times he did not know how things would be until the building was up and tenants had moved in, but he felt his main stage was far enough away not to disturb people.
"It just depends on who the neighbour is.
"If he’s got his windows closed and the TV on, he’s not going to hear any noise."
However, Mr Chin said it might not be the music that caused problems.
"It may more so be the people outside talking and smoking below their window."
He said the Crown tended to host "noisier" bands than most other venues in Dunedin.
Although he had not been told any new restrictions would be put in place for events, he was prepared to make compromises like ending gigs an hour earlier if need be.
Nonetheless, he believed his main stage was at a safe enough distance from the development to avoid noise complaints.
He said the sound tended to travel up Rattray St towards Smith St rather than down towards Princes St anyway.
Mr Chin had received an email from the development’s project manager outlining their work schedule.
They were now clearing the floor area and would start piling in two weeks’ time.
Anchorage Properties director Lincoln Darling declined to comment on the record when contacted by the Otago Daily Times.
Save Dunedin Live Music (SDLM) spokesman David Bennett said it was not thrilled about the construction getting under way.
"I think the music community and ourselves made it very clear that we’re not OK with any type of residential activity threatening the Crown Hotel as it is one of our last remaining venues," he said.
He said the council and the developers had heard the message loud and clear from the music community of Dunedin and he was hopeful both parties would make sure the Crown’s importance was respected.
Mr Bennett was hopeful a council fund to help venues meet acoustic requirements would be established next year.
As a response to a protest organised by SDLM in August 2022 the council had also increased the insulation requirements for inner city property from 30 decibels to 35 decibels.
