First five-star hotel on the cards for Christchurch with international hotel chain Hilton thought to be considering building a five-star hotel in the central city.

It would be the city's first internationally rated five-star hotel.

Christ's College confirmed yesterday it had been talking to a "major international hotel chain" interested in land it owns in Durham Street between Lichfield and Tuam streets.

The Press understands the hotel chain is the Hilton, whose Auckland hotel is the only one in New Zealand.

Consent has been granted for a $60 million Hilton in Queenstown.

Christ's College, which has owned the land for many years, has enlisted Christchurch merchant bank and advisory firm Ocean Partners to investigate the future use of the land, which has views of the Avon River and is near the Oxford Terrace Strip.

The 4000sq m block is home to businesses such as tyre company Beaurepaires and a car rental company.

But the existing tenancies were due to expire by 2011, Ocean Partners partner Tim Howe said.

"We're considering a range of mixed-use redevelopment options, including office space and a possible fivestar hotel, which would be situated at the northern end of the site," he said.

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For more information, contact Tim Howe, on 021 350-141