ERDI ushers in new era for St Kilda
The opening lands alongside an eleven-storey tower expansion already under construction at Novotel Geelong.
Hotel owner and hospitality group ERDI today announced the opening of Novotel St Kilda, strengthening its growing partnership with global hospitality group Accor and marking a new chapter for the landmark Fitzroy Street property.
ERDI has played a key role in the development of Novotel St Kilda as part of the broader St Kilda Collective, a partnership between Fortis, ERDI and Ondas, supported by the City of Port Phillip, that is investing more than $196 million in revitalising Fitzroy Street through hospitality, placemaking and community-focused developments.
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The St Kilda opening comes as ERDI progresses a second major Victorian investment, an eleven-storey tower expansion at Novotel Geelong that will add 134 rooms and make it the city’s largest hotel on completion. Together, the two projects represent one of the more significant hotel investment programs under way in Victoria.
Novotel St Kilda joins ERDI’s growing portfolio, which includes Pullman Melbourne City Centre, Novotel Geelong and Mercure Melbourne City Centre.
As part of the globally recognised Novotel brand, the hotel also joins a network of more than 630 Novotel properties across 70 countries. Guided by its Longevity Everyday vision, Novotel helps guests live longer, fuller and happier lives by making small, positive daily habits easier while travelling. Through its four pillars – Eat, Sleep, Move and Meet – the brand focuses on nourishing food, restorative sleep, accessible movement and meaningful connection, bringing everyday wellbeing naturally into the guest experience.
“This is a significant moment for ERDI and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for this landmark St Kilda property,” said Ricky Jeffs, CEO and Executive Director of ERDI. “This transformation represents a significant investment in both the hotel and the future of this iconic location, and it builds on the successful partnership we have developed across our broader hotel portfolio with Accor.”
“Our vision has been to completely reimagine the hotel and create an experience that feels connected to the character, energy and lifestyle of St Kilda. From the redesign of the guestrooms and public spaces through to the new restaurant and expanded events offering,” continues Jeffs.
Related AccomNews story: Accor opens bookings for reimagined Novotel St Kilda ahead of October debut
Ahead of opening, ERDI has appointed Christos Pavlidis as General Manager of Novotel St Kilda. Pavlidis brings more than 25 years in hotel operations and pre-openings, joining from Ovolo, where he was Area General Manager across its Melbourne properties, with previous senior roles at Lancemore Hotels, Accor Sydney Olympic Park, Westin Brisbane and the pre-opening of COMO The Treasury in Perth.
The hotel complex will also feature the launch of Urban Kitchen & Bar, a stand alone all day dining venue blending Italian and modern Australian cooking around Victorian and Australian produce sourced from the region. The restaurant centres on a wood-fired oven imported from Verona, Italy, with a menu spanning woodfired pizzas, fresh seafood and premium Australian steaks alongside a significant wine list that purely focuses on Victorian producers.
“Reopening a property in a destination as iconic as St Kilda is a fantastic opportunity,” said Christos Pavlidis, General Manager of Novotel St Kilda. “With the strength of the Accor brand and the vision and support of ERDI behind us, we have a great opportunity to create something really special.”
Novotel St Kilda features 80 completely redesigned rooms and suites, with bold interiors and custom local references across single, double, family and interconnecting layouts. Rooms include 75-inch televisions with Foxtel, Nespresso machines, local minibar products and bathtubs in select rooms, alongside 24-hour reception, self-check-in, secure parking and a light-filled internal garden atrium.
Designed as calming spaces that support restorative sleep and everyday balance, the guestrooms bring Novotel’s Sleep pillar to life, creating an environment where guests can rest, recharge and maintain a sense of wellbeing while travelling.
The hotel’s redesign was led by Rory Sheppard of Forum Architects, with public spaces by Rebecca Trenorden and the VERSA team, and guestrooms and corridors by Mike Watson and the Dezign team.
“We are absolutely thrilled to open the doors to Novotel St Kilda and see this iconic Melbourne address begin such an exciting new chapter,” said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Accor in the Pacific region. “St Kilda is one of Australia’s most distinctive neighbourhoods, and this hotel captures that spirit brilliantly.”
“What makes this opening particularly exciting is how naturally it brings Novotel’s Longevity Everyday vision to life. Guests can rest and recharge in calming rooms, enjoy great food at Urban Kitchen & Bar, connect with colleagues, friends and family, and step outside into one of Melbourne’s great beachside neighbourhoods. It’s about making the small things that help people feel better part of the experience, without ever making well-being feel complicated,” concludes Williams.
The hotel also introduces an expanded events offering, including a Ballroom for up to 120 guests, a Boardroom for up to 26 guests with a private courtyard, and a Level Five rooftop accommodating up to 150 guests, alongside residential conferencing packages and full hotel buy-outs.
The investment comes as Victoria’s visitor economy posts record results. Tourism Research Australia data shows the state’s visitor spend reached $48.6 billion in the year to March 2026, up 6.5 per cent, with international visitor spend climbing 16.7 per cent to $10.5 billion. Melbourne has held its position as Australia’s top destination for interstate visitors.
