The former government building on Beach Road in central Apia, once the seat of colonial governments until Samoa gained Independence in 1962, is to be rebuilt and turned into a hotel.
This was recently revealed by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi after he was asked about government plans for the historic building.
The iconic building was built by the German administration in the 1800s and was the seat of government during both the German and New Zealand administrations.
It also housed government offices on the top floor after Samoa gained Independence in 1962 with the Court house on the ground floor.
When government offices moved out in the 1980s it was left virtually unused.
According to Tuilaepa, the building is riddled with termites and has been condemned.
“So a decision was made to tear it down and (replaced) with a new building with the same colonial design but built with more modern material,” he said.
The project will be funded by Samoa’s international investment arm, Samoa International Finance Authority.
According to the Prime Minister, the planned hotel will take the top floor while the ground floor will be turned into stores and a museum of the colonial times.
It is not clear when the project will start.
