Wyndham Hotel Group has officially opened its flagship Melbourne development, Wyndham Hotel Melbourne, becoming the company’s first hotel in the city.
Centrally located in Melbourne’s central business district (CBD) on the corner of William Street and Little Bourke Street, the much-anticipated high-rise complex boasts 531 apartments across two towers and comprises hotel accommodation, vacation ownership, residential apartments and a retail precinct.
It joins 15 hotels currently open and operating in the South Pacific under the Wyndham, Ramada and TRYP by Wyndham brand flags.
Wyndham Hotel Melbourne operates as a mixed-use property, providing accommodation for both Wyndham Hotel Group guests and vacation owners with 86 apartments through WorldMark South Pacific Club by Wyndham, part of sister company Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific, Australia’s largest vacation ownership company. The two companies first introduced this successful hybrid model in the South Pacific in 2009 with Wyndham Surfers Paradise.
Barry Robinson, President and Managing Director Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific and Wyndham Hotel Group in South East Asia and Pacific Rim, said this new Melbourne development would mark an exciting first for both companies.
“We are very happy to enter the Melbourne market with this exceptionally designed, flagship property that will appeal to both business travellers and holidaymakers,” Robinson said.
“Wyndham Hotel Melbourne reflects the vibrancy and sophistication this cosmopolitan city is renowned for and we look forward to offering guests and more than 49,000 vacation owners the exceptional service and product for which the Wyndham brand is known around the world.”
The 23- and 21-storey towers were designed by Melbourne-based Bruce Henderson Architects and feature stylish one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as three-bedroom Grand and Presidential Suites that boast added luxuries such as built-in fireplaces, wine refrigerators and outdoor lounge and dining areas.
The transformation of the building includes a new façade and upgraded building services as well as significant environmental initiatives such as rooftop solar panels, rainwater reuse in bathrooms and double-glazed doors and windows to reduce noise and increase energy efficiency.
Additional hotel services and amenities include a 24-hour reception, concierge, a gym, a library, meeting space, ground floor retail and dining precinct and a rooftop pool with a barbecue area and city skyline views.
The property was developed by Hengyi Australia, an affiliate of Shandong HYI (Group) Co. Ltd., an award-winning residential and commercial developer based in China. It is operated by Resort Management by Wyndham.
“Wyndham Hotel Melbourne makes a major architectural contribution to the streetscape in this part of the CBD and is a long-awaited upgrade of what was once an abandoned building,” said Stephen Speer, head of Marketing and Business Development at Hengyi.
“It is a great commercial success for Hengyi and an opportunity to establish our reputation in Melbourne. Furthermore, the project has given us the opportunity to work with Wyndham, a company that shares similar values to Hengyi, and we will no doubt go on to partner with them on many more opportunities around Australia.”