Quest Collingwood set to open March 31
New property taps into demand from major local industries like construction, healthcare and education, alongside lucrative interstate visitor market
The first Quest hotel for 2023 will open on March 31 to meet the growing demand stemming from rapidly accelerating economic activity in the Melbourne suburb of Collingwood.
Quest Collingwood is a joint venture between existing franchise business owners Roberto Salicio & Ben Burns, and Kane & Stephanie Robertson.
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The first of five hotels that parent company The Ascott Limited will open in 2023, Collingwood represents another strategic investment by Quest in a suburban hotel adjacent to growing economic hubs with strong visitor forecasts.
The Ascott Limited Australia’s General Manager Growth and Capital Strategy James Shields said the property will tap into growing demand from major local industries like construction, healthcare and education, in addition to a lucrative interstate visitor market.
“Whether travelling for work or leisure, Quest Collingwood will meet the diverse needs of post-pandemic travellers through offering four spacious accommodation types from studio to interconnecting three bedroom apartments for short or extended stays,“ said James.
“The upper eight levels will be occupied by Quest Collingwood and its 83-apartment hotel which will include a business centre, meeting facilities, and a fitness centre.”
Roberto and Ben have been the franchise business owners of Quest Breakfast Creek in suburban Brisbane since September 2020. Kane has been a member of the Quest Support Office team, and Stephanie brings 16 years of hospitality experience to the joint venture.
“We’ve worked in this industry our entire lives. The Quest model is built on investing in the success of business owners and the customer-centric Quest values are a natural fit for us. We both fell in love with the idea of owning our own hotel – so the opportunity to go into business with trusted friends and colleagues was a sliding doors moment for us,” said Stephanie.
“We love how Collingwood’s evolved from working class suburb into a hotspot for wine bars and microbreweries, co-working spaces and restaurants,” added Kane. “There’s major local industries and corporate headquarters for a strong extended stay market, so we’re forecasting 70% of our business will be corporate from Monday-Friday.”
“We’re also perfectly positioned to capture growing levels of leisure demand in domestic travel. Quest Collingwood is opening the same time as the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival. Our close proximity to the MCG will also attract interstate visitor demand during the AFL season.”
Capturing and reflecting Collingwood’s rich cultural and industrial history in the property was key to the approach of interior designer and Director at ZUNICA DESIGN, Andrew Zunica.
“Our approach to Quest Collingwood represents an exciting evolution in the brand’s accommodation offering which is particularly evident in the new studio apartments and common areas. We’ve maintained Quest’s signature style and amenities, but also tapped into the vibrant local appetite for contemporary design through a rich materials and colour palette layered with modern lighting solutions, custom furniture and bespoke local photography.”
“Collingwood has over 150 years of heritage and red brick is the predominant built material. We integrated this finish by wrapping interior and exterior walls to encase a minimalist common area at entry level. Guests are greeted by a custom-designed circular reception, extensive interior planting and a solid metal open stairwell that nods to Collingwood’s industrial past.”
“These elements all blend seamlessly to elevate the guest experience at Quest Collingwood.”
About Quest
Quest is a member of The Ascott Limited (Ascott), a Singapore company that has grown to become one of the leading international lodging owner-operators.
Spanning more than 170 cities across over 30 countries, Ascott’s other serviced residence and hotel brands include Ascott, Citadines, Citadines Connect, Somerset, The Crest Collection, lyf, Préférence, Vertu, Harris, Fox, Yello and POP!.
Ascott is a wholly owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Limited (CapitaLand), one of Asia’s largest real estate companies headquartered and listed in Singapore. Ascott boasts over 30 years of industry track record and award-winning brands that enjoy recognition worldwide.
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