$150m Crowne Plaza Maroochydore gets green light
Sunshine Coast Council has approved the $150 million Crowne Plaza Maroochydore, with construction set to begin in April 2026 and opening targeted for 2028.
Sunshine Coast Council has approved the $150 million Crowne Plaza Maroochydore development, paving the way for construction to commence in April next year in the heart of Ocean Street.
The landmark project is being delivered by Felix Capital, with Director Michael Maroun welcoming the approval as a major win for the Sunshine Coast.
“This is an incredible announcement for Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast. Crowne Plaza will provide much needed leisure and business tourism accommodation as well as community entertainment facilities for the region when it opens in 2028,” Mr Maroun said.
Crowne Plaza Maroochydore will feature 180 guest rooms alongside more than 900 square metres of premium, flexible meeting and event space, including a 600 square metre ballroom. The hotel will also include a 30-metre pool and spa, gym, sauna and secure basement parking across two levels.
The food and beverage offering will include an all-day dining restaurant, a 160-seat signature dining venue, an outdoor pool bar and lounge, along with a lobby bar.
Sitting atop the hotel, the AER Residence will comprise 24 luxury two- and three-bedroom apartments spread across four floors. The apartments have been designed by award-winning architectural and interior design firm DBI, with individual layouts ranging in size from 110 square metres to 280 square metres.
Felix Capital has appointed Niall Molloy of Ray White Maroochydore as the apartment sales agent for the project. Early enquiry has already been received following the Development Application announcement in August, with further interest expected as the marketing campaign ramps up.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the project would play a key role in strengthening the region’s tourism and business accommodation capacity.
“This is the second hotel to be approved under the Sunshine Coast Council’s Accommodation Hotel Incentive Measures, and it reaffirms our commitment to address a major shortfall in hotel rooms,” Mayor Natoli said.
“The Sunshine Coast requires more than 2,400 additional hotel rooms, or around 10 new hotels, to support our tourism industry into the future. Council took a bold step to create incentives, and it is already having an impact.
“Crowne Plaza ticks every box in terms of providing important tourism infrastructure to boost our region’s appeal as a year-round destination.”
Construction of Crowne Plaza Maroochydore is scheduled to commence in April 2026, with a targeted opening in 2028. Apartments at AER Residence will be priced from $1.85 million.
