Urban Rest Poised to Expand into Wellington NZ, Set to Shake Up Corporate Travel with Tory Hotel Rejuvenation

Urban Rest is poised for its next phase of New Zealand growth, having signed a Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) to take over operations of the Tory Hotel in downtown Wellington. Just 14 months after launching in Auckland, this strategic move will see the transformation of the iconic property into a premium boutique apart-hotel.

The property is set to undergo an extensive refurbishment ahead of its relaunch as Urban Rest Wellington later this year, offering a new standard of high-quality corporate accommodation in the heart of the capital. This expansion strengthens Urban Rest’s presence across New Zealand’s two major business hubs, Auckland and Wellington, with stays tailored to meet the needs of the region’s growing business and creative sectors.

A Strategic Rejuvenation

In partnership with the owner, Urban Rest will lead a major transformation of the Tory Hotel, reimagining it as a next-generation apart-hotel purpose-built for today’s corporate traveller. This extensive refurbishment will set a new benchmark for business accommodation in Wellington, blending Urban Rest’s signature digitally enabled experience, premium design aesthetic and corporate housing expertise to deliver a smarter, more seamless way to stay.

“We’ve seen Urban Rest go from strength to strength, building a standout offering in New Zealand’s corporate travel space,” said Tony Osborne, Co-owner of the property at 70 Tory Street. “Being part of their expansion into Wellington is a truly exciting step forward for both companies, and we’re confident that their tech-led, design-first model will unlock the assets potential, elevating the property into a truly unique destination for corporate travellers.”

Once completed, the reimagined property will offer more space, style, and flexibility compared to traditional hotels and serviced apartments. Each apartment will feature a fully equipped kitchen and laundry, paired with hotel-like onsite amenities that aim to elevate work travel. Guests will enjoy 24/7 digital support, backed by an experienced on-shore team for a seamless blend of comfort and convenience. This project underscores Urban Rest’s commitment to bringing joy back to corporate travel, offering a home-like environment for all types of stays.

Catering to New Zealand’s Growing Corporate Market

David Whelan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Urban Rest said, “After 14 months of growth in the Auckland market, we couldn’t be happier to be bringing the Urban Rest difference to Wellington. Taking on Tory Hotel is much more than a new opening; it’s a long-term partnership with a focus on maximising the property’s potential, raising the bar for corporate stays in New Zealand.”

Urban Rest has firmly established itself as a disruptor of New Zealand’s corporate accommodation landscape. With a flagship property in Sylvia Park, and securing an exclusive management agreement with landmark The Pacificia in downtown Auckland. Expanding into Wellington is a strategic step toward a nationwide offering that will support seamless travel between the country’s two major business hubs.

Wellington continues to cement its role as a key player in the national economy driven by a strong services sector spanning government, finance, technology, and the entertainment industry. For businesses operating across both cities, Urban Rest now offers a consistent and truly premium experience tailored to executive relocations, those on assignment, and all lengths of corporate stays.

Rochelle King, General Manager of Urban Rest New Zealand added, “Wellington has been on our radar for a while, and I couldn’t be more excited to bring Urban Rest to this vibrant city. We’re reimagining what extended stays can look like, spaces that feel personal, refined, and ready to support real work and rest. It’s about giving travellers exactly what they need, and nothing they don’t.”

Urban Rest is a leading provider of premium, flexible accommodation designed for the modern corporate traveller, with over 80 properties in key global cities. A disruptor in the corporate stay space, Urban Rest partners with developers and property owners to deliver boutique, tech-enabled stays across Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom. With a global network of over 1,000 blue-chip corporate clients, Urban Rest is reimagining business travel — bringing comfort, consistency and joy back to the way everyone travels for work.