Historic transformations making accom news

Sydney’s historic West End Hotel is to be transformed from backpacker accommodation into a 95-room Accor ibis hotel.

The 1929-built CBD property at 412 Pitt Street, for more than 30 years Australia’s tallest hotel, will become the ibis Budget Sydney Central following an extensive refurbishment program due to complete in 2020.

[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”15046″ align=”left”]It is currently operating as Nomad’s Westend Backpackers Sydney and marketed as the city’s ‘number one party hostel’, packing in 359 beds across 86 rooms.

Donohue Tourism Holdings paid $18.6 million for the 14-level building in 2015, with owner Christopher Donohue telling Commercial Real Estate: “It was evident several years ago that that area of the CBD had potential for growth and would upscale in years to come.”

Mr Donohue said that other hotel groups, such as IHG which is planning to open a voco at 430 Pitt Street next year, have seen the potential for upscale in an area traditionally known for its concentration of budget accom.

“As properties like the ibis Budget Sydney Central and voco Sydney Central open, we will see the amenities in the area also revitalise and upscale,” he said.

A neighbouring budget hostel at 410 Pitt Street has initial approval to be turned into a skinny high-rise hotel.

Narrow Neck newbie

Expressions of interest are being sought for a rare development site, including DA approval for hotel, close to the famous NSW Blue Mountains landmark of The Three Sisters at Katoomba.

The site at 142-150 Narrow Neck  comes with planning approval for the construction of a 120-room hotel with parking for 170 vehicles across two levels.

HTL Property Asia Pacific Director Andrew Jolliffe said the 16,850sqm land parcel is “an incredible opportunity to take advantage of one of Australia’s most popular tourist attractions”.

“In excess of two million people are estimated to converge on Echo Point every year; rendering this an incredible hotel site for buyers to purchase,” he said.

The site is being sold via International Expression of Interest concluding on August 14.

Meriton marvel

Billionaire hotelier Harry Triguboff’s has opened the doors of his newest property, a former heritage warehouse-turned luxury hotel at 234 Sussex Street adjacent to Sydney’s Darling Quarter Precinct.

The 32-storey development offers 301 suites with a selection of studio, one, two and three bedroom designs, all including kitchens, living and dining spaces, free wifi and internal laundries.

A grand five-storey lobby at the heart of the hotel is designed to “bring light and nature into the centre of the surrounding podium” and rooms provide views of Darling Harbour and the surrounding city.

Meriton Suites currently operates 19 properties across Sydney, Brisbane and on the Gold Coast, with five new locations in the pipeline including Melbourne and Canberra.